Dr. M. Andrea Previtali
Ecologist
Ph.D., 2006, Northern Illinois University

Dr. Previtali is interested in understanding the causes of temporal change observed in animal populations. Her research focuses on the complexity found in population dynamics, which is linked to the interaction of multiple factors, their feedbacks, and lagged effects. Her work involves the analysis of long-term data on small mammal species, with the goal of revealing how climatic factors, human disturbance, and pathogens influence their dynamics and life-history parameters.

Current Research

Bait Vaccine
With colleagues, I am investigating the effects of a bait-vaccine against the Lyme bacterium (Borrellia burgdorferi), including how the vaccine impacts behavioral and demographic parameters of white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus).

Ecoimmunology
I am involved in a pilot study on ecoimmunology that involves measuring the immunological responses of varied host species to try to explain their differences in reservoir competence.

Tick Burden & Survival
Using long term capture-recapture data on small mammals, I am researching the how tick burden (the number of ticks on an animal) affects reproductive success and survival