Table of Contents
- Letter from the Chair
- Grants & Awards
- Presentations
- Publications
- Research
- Tufts Wildlife Clinic
- Featured Community
- Student Corner
- Recent Events
- Updates & Reminders
- Wellness Corner
- Submissions
Letter from the Chair
Dear All,
The glass of Summer is almost empty. Or, it’s nearly a quarter full until the beginning of next Summer :-) However you look at it, I hope the last few months have been both productive, invigorating and restorative in both your professional and personal life. Some of that is encapsulated in the newsletter here. From the Department perspective, we have notably had the good fortune of generous philanthropy to support establishing an endowed professorship as the Director of the Wildlife Clinic. If you missed the ceremony, you can read more below in addition to catching up on the latest activities across our group. As we dive into the Fall Semester, best wishes for all your endeavors in teaching, research and service across all our programs.
Best regards,
Jon
Grants & Awards
Dr. Maureen Murray was recently awarded the Inaugural Shalin Liu Professorship in Wildlife Medicine for her hard work teaching, leading the Tufts Wildlife Clinic (which is the only teaching hospital for wildlife medicine in New England) and saving the lives of the many animals that share the local outdoors with us.
"I respect and admire Shalin and the work she does so much that it is hard to describe how meaningful it is to me to receive the inaugural Shalin Liu Professorship in Wildlife Medicine," says Murray. "The work we do at the Wildlife Clinic is heavily dependent on philanthropy, which can vary from year to year. Shalin's generous gift will help put the Wildlife Clinic on more solid ground for the future." - Dr. Maureen Murray
Presentations
Dr. Meera Gatlin gave her presentation, "Assessing the impact of dog breeder mentorship and experiential learning on student knowledge and attitudes toward dog breeding" (pages 8, 270-271) at the 2025 Theriogenology Conference on July 26th.
Drs. Patrick Skelly and Akram Da'darah attended the Virtual Symposium on Schistosomiasis (SCHISTO-2025) on June 30th, each sharing their research. Patrick presented his paper, "How schistosomes control coagulation," and Akram presented his talk, “Non-neuronal acetylcholinesterase: an old target for new schistosomiasis treatments.”
Dr. Wendy Puryear and JJ Stone attended the 11th International Symposium on Avian Influenza, held in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. Wendy presented on ongoing incursions of HPAI into the North Atlantic and JJ presented on comparative pathology of HPAI in wildlife, both as poster presentations. As part of that symposium they were also able to take a tour out to a puffin colony, as well as doing some great networking while being in the presence of some relevant and fascinating wildlife.
Dr. Allen Rutberg co-authored a presentation by his PhD student, Kali Pereira, which was entitled, “Community-centered program development and operational planning for using PZP in suburban white-tailed deer.” The presentation was shared at the 2025 International Urban Wildlife Conference on June 2nd in Atlanta, GA.
Dr. Wendy Puryear, JJ Stone, Idrissa Nonmon Sanogo and Dr. Jon Runstadler all attended the Centers of Excellence for Influenza Research and Response (CEIRR) annual network meeting in Athens, GA at the end of May. Wendy gave a presentation on ongoing incursions of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) into the North Atlantic, JJ presented a poster on the comparative pathology of HPAI in wildlife, and Idrissa presented a poster on SARS-CoV-2 in wildlife. Wendy was also involved in a session reporting on updates from the CEIRR networks Risk Assessment Pipeline, co-leading the discussion on wildlife surveillance, and then participated in a panel about science communication.
Publications
From the research group of Dr. Meera Gatlin:
- Efficacy of fenbendazole in small ruminants on Southern New England farms (Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports. August 2025)
- Physician perceptions and understanding of pet ownership in healthcare compliance and patient well-being: a one health investigation (Front. Health Serv., July 2025)
From the research group of Dr. Amanda Martinot:
- Macrophage-T cell interactions promote SLAMF1 expression for enhanced TB defense (Nat Commun. July 2025)
- TnSeq identifies genetic requirements of Mycobacterium tuberculosis for survival under vaccine-induced immunity (Npj Vaccines. May 2025)
From the research group of Dr. Felicia Nutter: Protein Electrophoresis in the Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus): Agarose Gel Electrophoresis Reference Intervals, Method Comparison With Capillary Zone Electrophoresis, and Initial Assessment of the Effects of Spawning Season on Protein Fractions (Vet Clin Pathol. June 2025)
From the research group of Dr. Jon Runstadler:
- Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Response to Influenza in Grey Seals (Halichoerus grypus), a Potential Wild Reservoir (Mol Ecol. August 2025)
- Range-Wide Genomic Analysis Reveals Regional and Meta-Population Dynamics of Decline and Recovery in the Grey Seal (Mol Ecol. July 2025)
- Controlling bird flu is urgent-for dairy, wildlife, poultry, pets, and people (J Am Vet Med Assoc. (June 2025)
- Gray Seal (Halichoerus grypus) Pups Fail to Mount an Inflammatory Cytokine Response to Influenza A Virus (J Wildl Dis. July 2025)
- Annual (2024) taxonomic update of RNA-directed RNA polymerase-encoding negative-sense RNA viruses (realm Riboviria: kingdom Orthornavirae: phylum Negarnaviricota) (J Gen Virol. June 2025)
From the research group of Dr. Chuck Shoemaker: In-vivo-targeted gene delivery using adenovirus-antibody site-specific covalent conjugates (Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev. May 2025)
From the research group of Drs. Patrick Skelly and Akram Da'darah:
- High-Throughput Screens of Repurposing Hub and DOS Chemical Libraries Reveal Compounds with Novel and Potent Inhibitory Activity Against the Essential Non-Neuronal Acetylcholinesterase of Schistosoma mansoni (SmTAChE) (Int J Mol Sci. June 2025)
- Generation of Immune Modulating Small Metabolites-Metabokines-By Adult Schistosomes (Pathogens. May 2025)
From the research group of Dr. Sam Telford III:
- Age structure of cohorts of mosquitoes from the field using shortwave infrared spectroscopy before and after ULV adulticide treatment (Parasit Vectors. July 2025)
- Differentiating Peromyscus leucopus bone marrow-derived macrophages for characterization of responses to Borrelia burgdorferi and lipopolysaccharide (Infect Immun. July 2025)
- Hygromycin A treatment of Borrelia burgdorferi-infected Peromyscus leucopus suggests potential as a reservoir-targeted antibiotic (J Infect Dis. July 2025)
From the research group of Dr. Giovanni Widmer: Impact of predicted microbiota tryptophanase activity on Cryptosporidium parvum proliferation (PloS One. June 2025)
Research
The Lin Lab's Summer Mist-Netting
The Lin Lab used mist netting to collect both blood and ticks from songbirds in the area, with the netting primarily taking place along the road near the compost pile behind the Tufts Wildlife Clinic. They also set up the nets for a couple days near the granary at the end of Discovery Drive. The data collected from the mist netting will have several uses, mainly exploring variation in host competence and eventually examining the host immune response in avian reservoirs for Borrelia burgdorferi. Notably, Renner Thomas and Audrey Ponder, who performed most of the mist netting along with Miranda McCarty and Dr. Yi-Pin Lin, will be presenting their work at the upcoming Research Day in September.
It was fun for them to see so many different local birds (including the pictured Northern waterthrush and Brown creeper, as well as the American woodcock and a Blue-winged warbler), all of which can be spotted here on our Grafton campus.
Tufts Wildlife Clinic
The summer season at Tufts Wildlife Clinic is typically busy with turtles, and the summer of 2025 is no exception. Most turtles are admitted with injuries due to being hit by vehicles. Many female turtles that come in are gravid (pregnant with eggs). They travel large distances looking for the right nesting spots and are injured when they cross roads. Clinic veterinarians often induce gravid turtles to lay their eggs before release to prevent them from continuing to look for nesting spots and crossing more roads. Some female turtles unfortunately cannot be successfully treated for their injuries. Despite that, their eggs can still be saved, incubated, and the hatchlings can be returned to the area the female was originally found. Last year we released over 300 hatchlings!
The most common species of turtle seen this year at the Wildlife Clinic were painted turtles, with 59 admitted. We have received 33 snapping turtles, 9 eastern box turtles, 6 wood turtles, 4 spotted turtles, 3 diamondback terrapins, 2 Blanding’s turtles, and 1 common musk turtle. Eastern box turtles, wood turtles, diamondback terrapins, and Blanding’s turtles are all listed on the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act.
This summer we have incubated 59 painted turtle eggs, 163 snapping turtle eggs, 1 eastern box turtle egg, 4 spotted turtle eggs, and 15 diamondback terrapin eggs. Some eager painted turtles and snapping turtles have already started hatching, like the ones pictured here:
The ability to incubate the eggs and release the hatchlings is both awe-inspiring and important. In this way, we can help perpetuate the species and return the offspring to the environment the adult females were in, even if they themselves could not be successfully treated and released. The veterinarians, staff, and students at the Wildlife Clinic work hard to care for our turtles and are overjoyed to be able to release both adult and baby turtles back where they were meant to be.
Featured Community
Patrick Fitzgerald
Wildlife Clinic Program Assistant
I am one of the Program Assistants working at the front desk at the Tufts Wildlife Clinic. I received my bachelor's in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Maine at Orono in 2022 and have been obsessed with wildlife since I was a kid. After working a couple of jobs in fisheries, I decided that being on land was much safer and came to the Wildlife Clinic in May of 2024. I was originally hired to answer phones at the front desk, but over time my responsibilities have expanded to include animal husbandry, help with treatments, and working to place healthy baby animals with wildlife rehabilitators. I also train work study students to perform duties and responsibilities in the clinic. Working here has turned out to be much more than I expected, and I am just happy to be here.
What do you do at Cummings?
I split my work between being in the clinic and at the front desk. In the morning, I am typically cleaning enclosures, giving diets to patients, and doing my best to find placement for baby animals that have been cleared for wildlife rehabilitation. In the afternoon I am answering phone calls about injured wildlife, talking to state agencies, and giving advice about what to do with healthy baby animals.
What is your favorite animal?
Since working at the Wildlife Clinic, I have a newfound love and respect for turtles, particularly eastern box turtles. They have individual personalities, can be charismatic, and it is adorable when they eat right in front of you. They are a state endangered species, and getting to work with these and other endangered species at the Wildlife Clinic is an amazing experience.
What pets do you have?
My girlfriend and I currently have 4 ducks but have plans to adopt a dog in the future. They are cute as buttons, and honestly one of the coolest pets you could have. They are messy, but they make up for it with their robust personalities, charisma, and friendliness.
What do you do in your free time?
I like to do a few different things when I have time, and I try to be outside when I can. I enjoy taking care of my garden and using freshly grown vegetables to cook. I enjoy spending time with my girlfriend, and it really doesn’t matter what we are doing. I enjoy hiking and day trips, and of course I love spending time with our ducks.
Michaela Randall
Administrative Assistant
What do you do at Cummings?
Many know me for creating this newsletter as of Fall 2023, but I complete many other tasks in my role, which keeps work interesting and expansive. I support the IVM Program, I assist course directors with administrative course support, I create unique WordPress websites representing IDGH labs, and I assist in organizing events with the Mental Health Wellness & Working Group. I craft flyers and larger-reach email communications, create and maintain the department composite, and I organize some events. I could probably list more, but this is a good summary!
What is your favorite thing about IDGH/Tufts?
Truthfully, this is a hard question to answer, because I find that The Department of IDGH and Cummings School at large have offered me a very positive working environment with kind and caring people, a beautiful campus, great benefits and services for both employees and students, and an investment in the community. I also really love the cows on campus, and I like to say hello to them on my walks. :-)
What do you like to do in your free time?
I go on many late afternoon walks on a big center-of-town loop or along our local canal trail with my partner, Matt. When I'm not taking in the local scenery, I enjoy watching films, writing and journaling, gardening with Matt in our town's community garden, and visiting with animals. Pictured above, you can see Matt and I with a cow we drove out to visit, as well as me feeding a very curious capybara - a great recent birthday gift! The flowers to the right are coneflowers in our garden, a great native plant for attracting pollinators.
Student Corner
See the faces, backgrounds and bios of selected students from the MS in Conservation Medicine (MCM) and MS in Animals and Public Policy (MAPP) Programs!
In this quarter, we are featuring Meghan Stille, Isabella Marchionne, Miley Kim, Vikram Mathur, Elizabeth Breitmeyer, Sarah Cass, Ayla Sinclair, Jeremiah English, and Lindsey Kastelle.
Recent Events
Dr. Flo Tseng's Retirement Party
In honor of Professor Emerita Florina Tseng's recent retirement, she, Dr. Jon Runstadler, and many others gathered in Elm's Café to present her with a wooden rocking chair. She is a valued member of the Department of IDGH and Cummings School, not only serving as a Professor, but also Associate Dean for Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Climate, and a honorable contributor with her long time role as Wildlife Clinic Director.
Updates & Reminders
Campus Parking Changes & Upcoming Deadline: The Grafton campus parking pass pre-purchase deadline is August 31st. You can review changes to the parking pass system here, which includes billing cycles, new rates, virtual permits, and visitor parking rule updates.
Department Art Gallery: If you've visited some of the common areas of Building 20 recently, you may have seen new frames hanging on the walls featuring various animals, IDGH faculty, and more. We're happy to share that this is the debut of the Department Art Gallery, which is an effort not only beautify the walls of Building 20, but also to recognize the many faculty and staff members that make up our wonderful community within the department. More framed artwork and corresponding tags to existing artworks are to come - in the meantime, please reach out to Michaela Randall if you would like to participate in this project.
Adobe License Renewal: Tufts is transitioning to a new Adobe licensing contract beginning September 28th, with the intention of bringing expanded options and continued access for faculty and staff who use Adobe products for academic, creative, and administrative work. You can learn about these changes here, and update your Adobe software on September 29th at Tufts on the Hub.
Tufts University observes the following paid holidays throughout the year:
- Labor Day - Monday, September 1st
- Indigenous Peoples' Day - Monday, October 13th
- Veterans' Day - Tuesday, November 11th
- Thanksgiving Day - Thursday, November 28th
- Day after Thanksgiving - Friday, November 29th
Welcoming our new employees into IDGH!
Apryl Lynn Sahadi
Ward Attendant in the Tufts Wildlife Clinic
I am a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in Massachusetts, recently approved for bat rehabilitation. I have a deep commitment to animal welfare and love all things wild and domestic. In my spare time, I enjoy being outside, walking in the woods, swimming in the ocean, tending to my garden and spending time watching movies with my husband, our 10-year-old daughter and two cat rescues Godfrey and Carlo.
Julia Pacheco
Research Assistant in the Runstadler & Skelly Labs
Veterinarian graduated from Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná, with three years of laboratory experience. Served as a teaching assistant in Clinical Pathology and Animal-Origin Product Technologies. Completed a clinical internship at the Marcos Enrietti Diagnostic Center, the official laboratory of the Paraná State Agricultural Defense Agency. Holds postgraduate degrees in One Health and Sanitary Surveillance. Earned a Master’s degree in Veterinary Sciences from the Federal University of Paraná.
Emily Demarino
Research Technician in the Tzipori Lab
I started in this department last June as a temporary research tech and recently became a regular research tech in the Tzipori lab. I graduated last year from the University of Rhode Island. In my free time I love hiking and bird watching. I am excited to continue my time here at Tufts!
Tessa McBurney
Wildlife Clinic Intern
Tessa McBurney is a new wildlife medicine intern at the Tufts Wildlife Clinic. She is a recent DVM graduate from the Atlantic Veterinary College in Canada. She possesses two bachelor’s degrees and is currently halfway through a MSc at the Atlantic Veterinary College. Her master’s research involves surveillance of zoonotic pathogens in wild bat populations within Atlantic Canada. She is very passionate about bats, and prior to veterinary school, worked for four years as the Atlantic Bat Conservation Project Technician with the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative. Her career interests include One Health, targeted wildlife surveillance, conservation medicine, and zoonotic diseases. Her hometown is Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, but she has also lived abroad in both the U.K. and Japan (although living in the U.S. is a new adventure for her.) Her hobbies include travelling and road-trips, in addition to hiking, birding, reading, and aerial acrobatics. She spends most of her time with an 11-year-old mackerel tabby named Loki and her partner Alex.
Wellness Corner
Free Parenting & Childcare Resources with KGA Benefits
KGA, your Employee Assistance Program not only offers a wide range of confidential services to Tufts employees, but it also offers a wide range of useful and free resources to household members of all ages.
Early Childhood Developmental Resources include licensed counselors and early childhood development specialists, available to assess your child’s developmental needs and locate available resources. This includes assistance with life and school transitioning, neurological evaluations, creating strategies to support your child's developmental path and more.
Child and Adolescent Concern Resources equip parents and caregivers with the tools to work through various challenges that may arise in your child's life. This includes assistance navigating issues such as academic decline, mood challenges (such as depression or aggression), substance abuse, eating disorders, LGBTQ+ resources and risky behaviors.
- Telephone - (800-648-9557) 24/7 live access
- KGA LifeServices Platform to self-schedule, text/chat, and email
- KGA Mobile app for 24/7 access anywhere (available in Apple and Google Play stores)
Submissions
Dr. Saul Tzipori's Chair
As a thank you for his years of service to the school and being a valued member of the community, the Department of IDGH has gifted the chair pictured below to Dr. Saul Tzipori, Distinguished Professor and Agnes Varis University Chair Emeritus. In retirement, not only does he continue to serve as Emeritus Faculty but also as Research Faculty. Even those he is officially retired, he is still very much an active member of the department that we value and enjoy seeing on campus.
Anne Fu's Mille Feuille Nabe Recipe
Mille Feuille Nabe is a Japanese hotpot-like dish. Anne's friend cooked it for them when they were in college years ago and recently, they made it for the first time. Anne's parents loved it! It is a low calorie and low fat meal that is easy to make. Hope you enjoy!
Ingredients:
- Napa cabbage
- Perilla leaves
- Enoki mushroom
- Thinly sliced beef
- Soy sauce
- Chicken broth
- Lemon
Cooking Instructions:
- Wash the vegetables then cut the cabbage leaves into 2 inch wide strips.
- Make chunks where the order is cabbage, cabbage, meat, cabbage, perilla, cabbage or something like that.
- In a pot arrange chunks circularly from the outside in and place the mushrooms in the middle.
- For the broth, put 6 cups of water, 1 tsp soy sauce, 1 tsp salt, and 3 tsp chicken broth powder in the pot.
- Cook it for 10-15 minutes.
- For the dipping sauce mix 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp lemon, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp broth.
- Optional: Add noodles if you are still hungry!
Credits:
Created with an image by Bill - "painted turtle in algonquin provincial park"