Letter from the Chair
Dear All,
I hope you have had a wonderful summer (not over until the equinox?) filled with good work and at least some fun, sun, and rest. This is sure to be another exciting year on the Grafton campus, particularly as things develop for the larger incoming veterinary class and we continue to try to address the goals of the Cummings Strategic Plan. As we gear up for classes that have already resumed and meeting the incoming professional and graduate students joining our programs at Tufts, we have decided to again tweak things a bit with our communications and try a new newsletter format, accessible throughout the season on our department homepage digitally.
This issue of the IDGH newsletter will include a feature of the research in the Widmer lab, a recount of the MS-IDGH Poster Presentation, and photos of the Lin lab that will make you smile.
With the official turn to the new fiscal year, I’d also like to again congratulate Dr. Amanda Martinot for her promotion to Associate Professor.
Dr. Patrick Skelly and Michaela Randall recently collaborated to create a new Molecular Helminthology Lab website. My hope is that, as a part of our efforts to upgrade our web presence, each lab gets an updated WordPress site through collaboration with her soon.
It is also my goal for the department to expand communications efforts through the creation of a communications committee. This will entail increased marketing efforts to attract more PhD students, collaborators and grants. If you have any ideas for communications focuses over the next FY, or want to share your thoughts on the new format of this newsletter, please reach out to me and michaela.randall@tufts.edu.
Presentations
Sam Telford III and Heidi Goethert both presented at Infestigate Lyme held at the Medford campus in June.
Flo Tseng gave a presentation at the AAVMC Catalyze conference in April in Washington, DC. This was a panel presentation, and the title was "A Proposed Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Domain: Development and Results"
Publications
From the research group of Giovanni Widmer: Soft autonomous ingestible device for sampling the small-intestinal microbiome (August 2024)
From the research group of Saul Tzipori: Clinical Significance of Respiratory Involvement in Cryptosporidiosis: Cross-Sectional Study of Children with Diarrhea and Respiratory Symptoms in Uganda (August 2024)
From the research group of Sam Telford III: Increasing Risk for Tick-Borne Disease: What Should Clinicians Know? (August 2024)
From the research group of Felicia Nutter & Marieke Rosenbaum: Coxiella burnetii serostatus in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) is associated with the presence of C. burnetii DNA in attached ticks in Laikipia County, Kenya (August 2024)
From the research group of Saul Tzipori: PI3Kγ inhibition circumvents inflammation and vascular leak in SARS-CoV-2 and other infections (July 2024)
From the research group of Cristin Kelley: Comparison of Manual Restraint With and Without Sedation on Outcomes for Wild Birds Undergoing Decontamination (July 2024)
From the research group of Yi-Pin Lin: An atlas of human vector-borne microbe interactions reveals pathogenicity mechanisms (July 2024)
From the research group of Amanda Martinot: PI3Kγ inhibition circumvents inflammation and vascular leak in SARS-CoV-2 and other infections (July 2024)
From the research group of Chuck Shoemaker: The Degradation of Botulinum Neurotoxin Light Chains Using PROTACs (July 2024)
From the research group of Akram Da'Dara & Patrick Skelly: Metabolism of FAD, FMN and riboflavin (vitamin B2) in the human parasitic blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni (June 2024)
From the research group of Yi-Pin Lin: Lizards and the enzootic cycle of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (June 2024)
From the research group of Chuck Shoemaker: Application of a Machine Learning-Based Classification Approach for Developing Host Protein Diagnostic Models for Infectious Disease (June 2024)
From the research group of Sam Telford III: Comparative reservoir competence of Peromyscus leucopus, C57BL/6J, and C3H/HeN for Borrelia burgdorferi B31 (June 2024)
Funding News
Dr. Saul Tzipori (Principal Investigator) and Dr. Abhineet Sheoran (Project Leader) were awarded NIH Contract focused on Treponema pallidum, a recently reemerged serious pathogen for humans, entitled “Minimum inhibitory concentration testing and efficacy studies in a rabbit model of Treponema pallidum infection”. It is scheduled to last two years.
Saul was also awarded two NIH umbrella contracts of Preclinical Models of Infectious Disease, first awarded in 2010, and recently renewed for 7 more years (2010-2031).
Dr. Patrick Skelly and Dr. Akram Da’dara’s R01 grant entitled Functional Characterization of the Schistosome Tegument was awarded by the NIH for a 5 year term.
Exploring the Widmer Lab
Cryptosporidium & cryptosporidiosis
Several species of Cryptosporidium parasites infect the GI tract of humans and animals. To date, efforts to develop drugs or vaccines to control this infection have not been productive. The parasite multiplies in the cells lining the GI tract and is metabolically dependent on the host cell. We seek to exploit this metabolic dependence as an alternative approach to mitigating the severity of the infection. We have shown in mice that modifications of the intestinal microbial community, known as “microbiota”, can impact C. parvum multiplication, presumably because the microbiota generates metabolites which support the metabolism of the cells lining the GI tract. Our efforts focus on identifying simple and affordable dietary interventions to limit the severity of the infection. Debora Silva, and before her, Bruno Oliveira and Hannah Creasey have participated in this project.
Ingestible sampling devices
The importance of the intestinal microbiota for digestion and for promoting resistance to enteric pathogens has been known for many years. New-generation high-throughput DNA sequencing methods have enabled the characterization of the complexity of microbiota with high accuracy and precision. As impressive as our advances in the understanding of the gut ecology is, this knowledge is mostly derived from the sequencing of fecal DNA. Consequently, much less is known about the profile and function of microorganisms populating the small intestine and the proximal small intestine. Dr. Sameer Sonkusale and his team at the Tufts School of Engineering have developed miniaturized devices for autonomously and non-invasively sampling the gastro-intestinal tract. These pill-size capsules are designed to collect intestinal content from specific region of the GI tract. Samples collected in this manner are then recovered from the pills after they are excreted in the feces and the microbiota characterized by sequencing. After extensive testing in the laboratory, we evaluated the technology in pigs and in dogs. A clinical trial to assess the function of the pills in human volunteers is scheduled to begin this year at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging under the direction of Dr. Alice Lichtenstein. Hannah Creasey and Debora Silva have contributed to this project. Postdoctoral fellow Ruben Del Rio Ruiz in Sameer’s lab developed and built the sampling devices using a 3D printer. As all our research focused on the microbiota, this project greatly benefitted from the expertise of the Tufts Genomics core facility and Dr. Albert Tai in particular.
Other Projects
A few additional projects we are involved in, have recently been completed or are in phase of development/fundraising are worth mentioning. A study of the intestinal microbiota of horses with colitis treated with fecal transplantation was performed in collaboration with Drs. Daniela Bedenice, Melissa Masan, Caroline McKinney and Lauren Holley. The same collaboration also investigated the effects of lidocaine nebulization on the equine respiratory microbiota. Debora Silva, Hannah Creasey and Victoria Trautwein (V25) were involved in this study. A grant proposal focused on the development of new treatments to control infection with the microsporidian Nosema ceranae in honey bees being submitted to the USDA. If funded, this project will be a collaborative effort with Elixide LLC, a startup specializing in computational drug screening, and the USDA Invasive Species and Pollinator Health Research Unit in Davis, California. To increase our chances of obtaining funding for this project, Senior Research Technician Manasvi Patel in the laboratory is attempting to propagate Nosema in cell lines derived from different species of moths.
Tufts Wildlife Clinic
The busy season at the Wildlife Clinic is usually from April- October each year where the population of wildlife around us needing care skyrockets. On top of the typical injured wildlife that we see every day, we also take in and treat many injured and sick baby wildlife. As of August 20, 2024, we have admitted 1,356 baby animals!
The clinic is lucky to have an amazing and dedicated team of staff and student nursery caretakers who take on the tremendous responsibility of treating and caring for these patients under the supervision of our veterinarians. At this point our amazing team has nursed 867 baby mammals, 487 baby birds, and 2 baby turtles not including the hundreds of baby turtles that we have hatched from eggs incubated at the clinic. And there are more still to come! The most common mammal we see by far are baby cottontails, with the students and staff tending to 575 baby bunnies to date. They have also cared for 124 baby opossums, 41 baby Grey squirrels, 85 baby American robins, and 40 Mallard ducklings. Enjoy the photos of our team at work as well as a few of their patients.
Featured Community
Dr. Amanda Martinot
Associate Professor
I am a veterinarian-scientist and comparative pathologist that specializes in animal models of infectious disease including Tuberculosis (TB) and SARS-CoV-2. I went to the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine (2003) then completed an MPH at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (2006). At the time I thought I wanted to be an epidemiologist and planned to apply to the EIS program at the CDC but decided Epi was too much math for me! During my MPH, I discovered how animal models contributed significantly to vaccine development and decided to shift gears and pursue a career in public health by focusing on pathology and basic science. We moved to the Boston area and I completed a pathology residency in comparative medicine at the (former) New England Primate Research Center and my PhD at Harvard School of Public Health focusing on mycobacterial genetics. I then did a post-doc in immunology and vaccinology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. I am currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health and Co-director of the Comparative Pathology and Genomics Shared Resource. Fun fact—I practiced veterinary emergency medicine for 7 years while pursuing my post-DVM training.
Q: What kind of projects/research are you currently working on? (if applicable)
A: We are currently working on a number of projects related to tuberculosis vaccine development and SARS-CoV-2 animal models. A large focus of the lab has shifted towards spatial biology, which is a nice balance between pathology and animal models of infectious disease. We have a collaboration with Tufts Med School (Lab of Bree Aldridge) and Emory School of Medicine looking at the spatial biology of drug response in TB granulomas in the non-human primate model. I hope to expand this work to look at vaccine responses as well. We are also collaborating with investigators at Purdue, the Mayo Clinic/Baylor, and Harvard Medical School to evaluate human TB granulomas using quantitative image analysis.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: Most my free is spent with my kids—I have an almost 13 year old son, Xavier, who is really into hockey, so I’ve become a bonafide hockey mom and we spend a lot of time going to hockey games. My daughter, Josephine, is 5 years old, and is also on skates, taking ballet, swim classes and piano lessons! When not running kids to activities, we like to hang out at the beach in Onset. I also do yoga, run (once in a while), and love to read and draw (but don’t have much time for that at the moment!).
Q: What pets do you have?
A: We have an almost 14 year Boston terrier—I grew up with Boston terriers, my whole family has them. We also have a 3 year old Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever that we got my son for his 10th birthday. We love to take him kayaking with us at the beach and he is a sweetheart.
Jean Johnson
Administrative Assistant
Q: How long have you worked at Tufts?
A: I have worked for Tufts for 5 years.
Q: What is your favorite thing about IDGH/Tufts?
A: I enjoy learning about the research our IDGH faculty are involved in.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: Now that I am part time I enjoy long walks on the beach with my husband Chris, riding my bike at sunrise, appreciating the sunsets at days end. I am hooked on pickle ball and play at least 2 – 3 times per week. I enjoy all the seasonal fruits and vegetables the Garden State has to offer. Meeting the fishing boats with their morning catch in Cape May. Exploring the local shops and restaurants (off season of course). I enjoy my volunteer time; making holiday cards that are distributed to the residence of nursing homes and assisted living centers. Making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the homeless and volunteering for the Special Olympics which is very close to my heart.
Q: What do you do at Tufts?
A: I am an administrative assistant for IDGH, keeping everyone’s finances in line!
Q: What is the best project you’ve worked on at Cummings?
A: Being part of the working group for the Anti-Racism Task Force which as led by Flo Tseng, Assistant Dean for Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Climate Professor, Wildlife Medicine
Jean Johnson's Photo Gallery
Welcome to Tufts!
Sydney Lewis (She/her)
Wildlife Clinic Intern
I grew up in the suburbs of Washington DC and as a kid, I always had an interest in pursuing Veterinary Medicine. As I grew and continued my education, I found myself passionate about Conservation Medicine and Sustainability. I attended Virginia Tech for my undergraduate degree, and I studied Biological Sciences and double minored in Animal Science and Sustainable Biomaterials. During those years, I chose to immerse myself in several fields of veterinary medicine as I worked at a small animal practice, interned at the University of Maine's Aquaculture Research Center, and traveled abroad to Costa Rica to study Wildlife Medicine and discussed the impacts of Wildlife Trafficking.
Following graduation, I attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts and Nevis. I spent as much time as possible in the water, weather permitting, either snorkeling or diving, and observed the underwater ecosystems. I volunteered with the Sea Turtle Rescue Network and expanded my knowledge of chelonian physiology and ethology. Following my didactic years of vet school, I attended Tuft's Cummings of Veterinary Medicine for my clinical year. This is where I first established a relationship with the Tufts Wildlife Clinic and had a wonderful time caring for the local wildlife during my rotation and additional elective time. I spent several weeks externing at CROW, Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, in Sanibel Florida, and learned a great deal regarding sea and shore birds. I graduated from veterinary school in early January 2024. I spent the several months before this Wildlife Internship sharing my time between a small animal general practice and Blue Ridge Wildlife Center in Virginia. I am beyond excited to be a part of the Tufts Wildlife Team and to learn from my surrounding peers!
Connor McKaig (He/him)
Research Technician in Lin Lab
Hello! My name is Connor McKaig, and I've just started working as a research technician in Yi-Pin's lab. I'm originally from Coventry, RI, and I just graduated this past May from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) with my B.S. in biotechnology. I've been interested in studying infectious diseases for a long time, and I also had the opportunity to learn a lot about Lyme disease and ticks as part of a senior capstone project. Some of my hobbies include cooking, going to the gym, playing video games, golfing, skiing in the winter, and occasionally painting using watercolor.
Leah Zebovitz (She/her)
Wildlife Clinic Intern
Leah is excited to join the wildlife clinic as an intern. She graduated from the DVM program at Tufts in May. Her passion has long been wildlife, and she has a special interest in birds. During her time as a student, Leah worked as a work-study employee in the wildlife clinic. During clinical year, she spent as many rotations as she could to learn as much as possible. During Leah's vet school experience, she also completed research with endangered Atlantic Sturgeon in the Hudson River.
Prior to vet school, Leah worked at a few different wildlife rehabs, as well as working as a vet tech at a small animal/exotics general practice. She has a BA in Animal Behavior from Franklin and Marshall College in PA, and always knew animals, and more specifically birds, would be her career focus. She is thrilled to be continuing her journey at Tufts, working with the wondering doctors, staff, and volunteers in the wildlife clinic.
Miranda McCarty (She/her)
Senior Research Technician in Yi-Pin’s lab
I’m new to the IDGH department, I’ve been familiar with the Cummings School community since I began here as a graduate student in the ’22 cohort of the Masters of Conservation Medicine program. I’ve also been working in the Foster Hospital for Small Animals since last fall as a veterinary assistant in the ECC. As an undergraduate at Tulane University, I developed an interest in ecology and evolutionary biology through the exploration of the diverse wetlands of my home state, Louisiana. During my time in the MCM program I found that my passion for both veterinary medicine and ecology could find a home in disease ecology. I’m excited to explore Lyme disease with Yi-Pin’s lab through the lens of One Health. When not on campus, I enjoy birdwatching, painting, gathering energy for a monthly jog, and going on walks with my dog, Lilo.
Tomohi Takeuchi (He/him)
Senior Research Technician in Lin Lab
Hello. My name is Tomohi Takeuchi, from Japan. I'm now PhD student of veterinary medicine in Yamaguchi University, Japan. I've just started working as a short-term scholar in Yi-Pin's lab. I've been studying Borrelia species in Japan and I also had the opportunity to learn about Lyme disease in Yi-Pin's lab. My hobby is fishing. I'm crazy about fishing. I'm only here for 3 months, so I'd like to experience various things such as research, sightseeing, fishing, etc. Best regards.
(Take's last day at the Cummings School was 8/16/24)
Student Corner
MS in Conservation Medicine (MCM)
The MS in Conservation Medicine Class of 2024 will be presenting their Case Study on Sunday, September 8th from 9:00am – 4:00pm. Presentations will be held in Varis Lecture Hall or guests can join via Zoom by registering in advance.
Student topics will cover Agrosystems, Wildlife Health & Disease, Spatial Patterns & Suitability and Conservation Education, Training & Leadership.
ESRI User’s Conference, Cartography Special Interest Group
The MCM students have done it again! Congratulations to the winners of the ESRI Map Gallery at the 2024 ESRI User’s Conference out in San Diego, California!
This year Tufts University had 3 students and one faculty led project win awards at ESRI’s Map Gallery! Check out the award winning projects below, or view all the Tufts’ submitted projects on ESRI’s virtual map gallery.
ESRI User’s Conference, Cartography Special Interest Group - Cartography Excellence Award: Rachel Giglio, MCM ‘24
ESRI User’s Conference - 2nd Place, Student Map – Post-Secondary: Jessica Zulch, MCM’24
ESRI User’s Conference - 3rd Place, Student Map – Post-Secondary: Shannon O’Connor, MCM’24
Charlotte Topchik (She/her)
New York
Environmental Studies with minor in Climate Justice, Science, and Policy, Brandeis University 2023
Hi! My name is Charlotte Topchik and I graduated from Brandeis University in 2023 with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and a minor in Climate Justice, Science, and Policy. During my time studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark in my third year of undergrad, I became fascinated by the internal decisions made by zoological institutions regarding animal welfare, conservation breeding, and species placement. While abroad my class trips to the Copenhagen Zoo as well as other zoos and aquariums have allowed me to learn about European approaches to wildlife conservation so I am looking forward to learning more about American approaches. In my free time I love solving crossword and logic puzzles, learning trivia, traveling, and playing and coaching sports, especially soccer. I have three lovely little havanese pups- Ollie, Waffles, and Pickles, who all should win the prize for world’s loudest barkers!
Nicole Westfall (She/her)
Massachusetts
Psychology, University of New Hampshire 2019
Tufts University has always been known to me as a university with exceptional clinical programs, and the opportunities to work with wildlife at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University was a main draw to the program for me. I have never considered myself a traditional student, and the interdisciplinary nature of the OneHealth approach aligns with my values.
I completed my undergraduate research project in a neuroscience lab, studying the effects of stress on health outcomes like development of mood disorders and physical changes in brain structures. My interests now are more aligned with marine mammal research, and my goal is to study the effects of anthropogenic factors on large cetacean stress levels and health outcomes. This summer, I completed a marine mammal stranding internship with IFAW on Cape Cod, and it opened my eyes to the many roles humans have in impacting our marine wildlife. I am interested in further developing my skills to really understand the science behind human-caused stress and the associated negative health outcomes.
The mix of clinical and experimental approaches within the MCM program makes me excited for career opportunities after graduation. My goal is to provide valuable research that informs policy making to further the conservation efforts of endangered keystone species. I believe in the power of making scientific information accessible, and I hope to find a platform that helps build capacity for science communication, with the goal of inspiring a public interest in protecting our wildlife and ecosystems.
Shaeleigh Wuollet (She/her)
Utah and Texas
Wildlife Biology, Texas State University 2020
Q: Why did you choose to pursue this degree, and why did you choose Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine to pursue this degree?
A: My decision to pursue conservation medicine has come gradually. In 2016, I learned for the first time about wildlife veterinary medicine. I began pursuing the path for a conservation-based degree-and as any true adventurer knows, no adventure is complete without a few obstacles! My greatest challenge is a learning disability, but I don’t let that deter me from pursuing my dreams. Like great scientists and explorers of the past, I choose to persevere until my dreams become reality. I believe in the tortoise’s wisdom: “slow and steady wins the race.” Cummings School's MS in Conservation Medicine program is a dream come true because it aligns perfectly with my personal values.
Q: What are your interests and/or experience relative to your program?
A: Last summer, I worked on USDA’s emergency response for HPAI and cattle tick fever. Current projects include rabies data transcription for GARC and interning at Sky Mountain Wild Horse Sanctuary.
Q: What are your career goals after completing the program?
A: Upon completion, it is my hope that I will be able to pursue a D.V.M., with an emphasis on wildlife conservation and international health. I wish to inspire rising generations through my pioneer’s journey, proving that anything is possible for those who dare to dream.
Jess Zulch (She/her)
Animal Science, University of Vermont 2020
My name is Jessica Zulch and I graduated from University of Vermont in 2020 with a B.S. in Animal Science. I have had an interest in conservation my entire life and I have been visiting the Bronx Zoo and learning about WCS and conservation since I was a child. My studies at the University of Vermont gave me the opportunity to explore my passion for nature, and my minor in wildlife biology introduced classes that fed my interest, especially my herpetology class. I want to continue to build on my knowledge and skills in the conservation field, and to make connections with experts in this field that can advise me on the best ways I can make an impact. Prior to MCM, I was a Wild Animal Keeper at the Bronx Zoo. I worked with sloths, armadillos, porcupines, various different kinds of birds, and a couple of different wild cat species. I was responsible for cleaning their exhibits, providing their meals, administering their medication, supplying enrichment, and showing our animal ambassadors to the public for our educational programs. I really enjoy doing herpetological surveys and looking for salamanders and frogs. Outside of conservation-related activities, I really enjoy reading, watching horror movies, going to new coffee shops, and spending time outside. I have a pet bearded dragon named Fin. He’s very cuddly, loves eating hornworms, and can usually be found basking on his hammock.
DVM/Master of Public Health Program (MAPP)
The M.S. in Animals and Public Policy class of 2024 will be presenting their summer externship and research on Saturday, September 7, 2024 from 10:00am – 2:40pm. Presentations will be held in Agnes Varis Auditorium in the Campus Center or guests can join via Zoom by registering in advance.
Presentations will include topics and experiences covering animal policy and human-animal relationships.
Sophia Bremer (She/her)
Rochester, New York
B.S. Public Health & Animal Welfare, UMass Amherst, 2023
Q: What do you want to focus on at MAPP? What drew you to this area?
A: I would love to further learn how to research issues communities are facing regarding animal welfare and apply that knowledge to address the issue with public policy. I have always been interested in animals and how humans interact with them, MAPP has a detailed curriculum perfect for what I am looking for.
Q: What are your experiences and interests with animals?
A: I have a wide range of experience, I have worked at a cat-only veterinary hospital, volunteered at a shelter, and worked for UMASS IACUC regarding research animal protocols. I have always been an avid horse girl and picked up a lot of valuable knowledge from my riding lessons.
Q: What are your career goals after completing the program?
A: I would love to be in a career where I am in a position of change. I am still unsure which area I want to focus on, but want to spend my time after MAPP making a difference. I am very excited to further my journey of ensuring a better future for animals, and I look forward to learning new ways to conduct and convey research to communities.
Q: What are your outside interests?
A: I enjoy exploring nature or snuggling up at home with my cat.
Scott Lin (He/him)
Taipei, Taiwan
B.S. Animal Science and Economics minor, University of California, Davis, 2022
Q: Why did you choose to pursue the M.S. in Animals and Public Policy (MAPP) degree, and why did you choose Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine to pursue this degree?
A: During my time at UC Davis, I was often exposed to debates revolving around different ethical and political views about long-lasting issues with animals. As an aspiring veterinarian is to better the quality of understanding in human-animal relationships, the question of justice in areas outside of my familiarity became a curious and novel topic. I chose to enroll into the MAPP program because of the challenging opportunities I will face between veterinary medicine and law. I believe that working alongside professors and veterinarians within Cummings will elevate my understanding and confidence when working closely with animals.
Q: What are your career goals after completing the program?
A: My goal is to become a companion animal veterinarian who understands and advocates for superior conditions and quality between humans and animals.
Q: What do you want to focus on at MAPP? What drew you to this?
A: I want to focus on studying within the applied track. Specifically, I would like to understand the dynamics and quality of shelter medicine. As someone who still have little experience outside of school, I would love to be able to have the chance to learn and apply my experiences in veterinary care. The opportunities and flexibility within the MAPP program drew my interest more than other programs.
MS in Infectious Disease & Global Health (MS-IDGH)
MS-IDGH Research Assignment Poster Presentations - Class of 2024: MS-IDGH Research Day Poster presentations took place on July 30, 2024. Student, Candace Williams’ poster titled “The Immunotherapeutic Role of T. gondii induced ILC1s in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis’ won 1st place for best poster. Reece Lenaz’s poster titled “Complementary and Alternative Medicines Modulate Canine Macrophage Responses Against Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus” took 2nd place. Candace and Reece received cash prizes as reward. The research assignment course involves a comprehensive survey of different aspects of pathogens and identifying a total of 3-5 needs, gaps in knowledge/unanswered questions surrounding a pathogen and outlining an experimental plan on how to address the unanswered questions surrounding that pathogen. Below are names of student presenters with their research assignment topics.
Audrey Weers presented "Development of a thermostable heat-killed H5N1 vaccine for intranasal aerosol administration in cattle: vaccine formulation and in vivo efficacy challenge."
Coriander Tighe presented "Application of PhageFISH to Understand the Effects of Phage-Antibiotic Synergy."
Dina Gallacher presented "Autophagy Inducing Compounds as Macrofilaricides Against Dirofilaria immitis and Wolbachia Endosymbiont."
Olivia Knuth presented "Recombinant BdGPI06 and BmSA1 GPI-AP Subunit Vaccine for B. duncani and B. microti."
Quinn Kellogg presented "Efficacy of Brincidofovir as an Antiviral Treatment of Canine Parvovirus 2 Infection."
Presentations were followed by a lunch celebration. Dr. Abhineet Sheoran, the Program Director, was proud of the students and their progress. Attending also was Adam South, Patrick Skelly, Saul Tzipori, Chuck Shoemaker.
Candace Williams
Maryland
BS Microbiology, University of Maryland College Park, 2018
Post Graduate Certification - Medical Lab Technician, Anne Arundel Community College, 2021
Hello! My name is Candace and I received by my BS in Microbiology from UMDCP. Post-graduation, I worked in Parasitology at Idexx while obtaining my ASCP Medical Laboratory Technician certification. Next, I worked in Microbiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center. These experiences helped me realize that I love all the gross stuff - from bacteria and viruses to helminths!
I was attracted to the MS-IDGH program for its proximity to the molecular helminthology lab and because I am at an inflection point in my career – pursue my PhD in biomedicine or return to the clinical laboratory as technical specialist. I believe the program’s emphasis on preparing students for research and learning more about zoonotic diseases will help me decide.
Beyond the lab, my interests include reading, hiking, and baking. I have one tortoiseshell cat that is currently residing with her cat-dad, my fiancé, in Maryland while awaiting our family reunion
Student Resources
Confidential Counselling
Confidential Counselling provides free and confidential counseling to Tufts students when navigating:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Homesickness
- Conflict
- Eating Disorders
- Financial Concerns
- Alcohol/Substance Abuse
- Family Issues (Divorce, Illness, etc.)
- Academic/Life/Work Balance
For support, please call (800) 756-3124 - Available 24/7
Take Care Tuesdays
Come and meet with the Student Wellness Advisor, Lynn Roy, for a wellness check in, a snack, a self care activity and a word of encouragement! Every Tuesday 12-1pm at Elm's.
Recent Events
3rd Annual CEIRR (Centers of Excellence for Influenza Research and Response) Conference in NYC
The conference was hosted at the New York Academy of Medicine and ran from July 21- 24. In attendance from the Runstadler lab were Jonathan (JJ) Stone, Idrissa Sanogo, Emilie Gurnon, Wendy Puryear, Jonathan Runstadler, Alexa Simulynas and Elena Cox.
Jonathon (JJ) and Elena presented a joint poster on comparative pathology of highly pathogenic avian influenza in naturally infected New England Wildlife.
Wendy presented a poster, on the emergence of a novel highly pathogenic avian influenza genotype within wild birds in the Northwest Atlantic and its implications for continued reassortment and spillover.
Patrick Skelly: Service
Dr. Patrick Skelly was a member of the Pathogenic Eukaryotes (PTHE) grant review study section at the NIH in Bethesda, MD on June 6-7, 2024.
News, Updates & Reminders
Upcoming Holidays
The University observes the following paid holidays throughout the year:
- Labor Day - Monday, September 2
- Indigenous Peoples' Day - Monday, October, 14
- Veterans’ Day - Monday, November 11
- Thanksgiving & Day after Thanksgiving - Thursday - Friday, November 28-29
Welcoming New PhD Students
We welcome three PhD students as of 8/26! The three include JJ Stone and Cara Martone – both transitioning from IDGH staff to students, and Sergio Hernandez.
Construction & Demolition Update
There will be construction of the classroom near Elms as described in the dean’s updates. Parking issues will be alleviated over the next several months by adding spots across campus.
A building near the Wildlife Building has a planned demolition taking place from August 21 to August 28 at the latest. It is the future site of the Grafton Campus Health Center, which will provide student and employee services.
Wellness Corner
A message from Eric Richman:
We would Like to thank the entire Cummings Mental Health and Wellbeing Group for their dedication and efforts throughout the year. The Group has worked all year to pull together programs and events to support the entire Cummings community. We will be back shortly in the fall with new programs, and we are always looking for additional volunteers to join our group. Please email the Chair, Eric Richman Eric.Richman@tufts.edu if interested.
Spring Kindness
The Mental Health & Well-Being Working Group hosted a “Spring Kindness” event Tuesday, June 11 featuring wellness resources, donations for the Worcester Country Food Bank, therapy dogs, and Kona ice! Students, faculty and staff gathered to get their free, customizable flavored shaved ice, swag from KGA, resources and info for other mental health resources and photos/cards from therapy dogs. Food donations were collected, and a raffle for a $25 Amazon gift card was available to all who attended the event at the KGA table. The Worcester Country Food Bank collected 70lbs of food and small monetary donations. The event helped better educate people on the mental health resources available at Tufts, gave back to the local community and provided a nice, sunny break in the middle of the day on campus.
Resources for Faculty & Staff
KGA, your Employee Assistance Program provides emotional and practical support for everyday challenges. It is a confidential benefit provided by your employer available 24/7 to you and your adult household members.
Services include 6 Free Counseling Sessions per issue in your healthcare network or with a KGA Counselor with support for
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Substance Abuse
- Relationships
- Work
KGA also offers consultations on financial, legal, career, parenting and nutrition issues (30 minutes) as well as targeted research and referrals for convenience services and dependent care. Visit KGA MyLifeServices to see a full list of services provided by KGA.
For support, contact KGA:
- Call: (800) 648-9557
- Text: (508) 231-5374
- Email: info@kgreer.com
Use company code: tuftsu
Building your Crisis Management Tool Box: Navigating Stress with Agency
Life is unpredictable at times: loved ones pass, relationships come to an end, health difficulties arise, and so on. During a crisis, managing stress is essential for optimally navigating a tough situation, especially for those with a lower threshold for handling pressure. To stay prepared, it is best to “build your inner toolbox” by remembering these effective coping strategies:
Firstly, prioritize take care of yourself. Ensure you're getting enough rest, eating nutritious meals, and staying hydrated. Taking care of your physical health lays a foundation for managing stress more effectively. If you’re physically exhausted, you will be less capable of supporting others involved as well.
Stay informed but limit exposure to news and social media. Overwhelming ourselves with panicked google searches, stressful news reports and feelings of inadequacy from social media can heighten anxiety and stress levels, especially if a crisis is publicized. Consider setting restrictions for how your phone is used - many smartphones have settings that enable time and content limits for popular apps.
Set boundaries where you can. If a person in your life is making you more stressed, take some distance. Setting boundaries with people can help to maintain a positive relationship after the crisis has passed, rather than building resentment over time.
Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques. Some may find it impossible to imagine meditating during a time of crisis, but mindfulness can be as simple as focusing on the moment in front of you, rather than in the past or future. You can keep your brain engaged with a present activity and still stay relaxed through activities like crafting, cooking and baking, or reading a book.
Stay connected with loved ones for support. For some, it is tempting to disconnect during troubled times, but sharing your feelings with trusted individuals can alleviate stress and the feeling of being alone, and in some cases, can foster a sense of community. Reach out to friends and family members for virtual social interactions or phone calls if you can’t spend time with them in person.
Consider seeking mental health services. Professional help will help you to process and manage the crisis in front of you, and ideally provide a sense of stability and control amidst uncertainty.
If you can’t talk to someone, talk to yourself by journaling. Freeform or guided journaling can help you process trauma, or organize thoughts through seeing them on paper.
Lastly, focus on what you can control. Identify actionable, reasonable steps you can take to address challenges or alleviate stressors within your reach. Accepting what cannot be changed and focusing on manageable tasks helps maintain a sense of empowerment.
In summary, managing stress during a crisis requires a proactive approach focused on self-care, setting boundaries, seeking support, and focusing on what is in your control. By implementing these strategies, you can navigate through challenging times with resilience and agency.