Knutie Lab in the Galapagos!
Main research projects:
Research in the Knutie lab spans both fundamental and applied ideas in disease ecology and evolution. We are experimental biologists who explore whether and how animals defend themselves against parasites, especially in response to environmental change. Current research includes the following topics:
Research in the Knutie lab spans both fundamental and applied ideas in disease ecology and evolution. We are experimental biologists who explore whether and how animals defend themselves against parasites, especially in response to environmental change. Current research includes the following topics:
- Effects of an introduced parasitic nest fly Philornis downsi on Galapagos birds -- How birds defend themselves against P. downsi (e.g. can birds evolve resistance to the parasite?) -- Effect of urbanization on host-parasite-microbe interactions of Darwin's finches -- Effect of urban trash, particularly plastic, on the nesting biology of finches.
- Effects of local ecology on the evolution of hosts and their nest parasites using a box-nesting bird-parasite system at Itasca Biological Station in Minnesota (long-term study site) and across the US, through the Nest Parasite Community Science Project.
- Role of host-associated microbiota in disease biology of frogs -- Whether early-life microbes of hosts mediate the effect of environmental factors (e.g. pollution, climate change, resource availability) on disease risk -- How overwintering ecology influences interactions among microbiota, parasites, and immunity in wood frogs.
Interested in donating to help our conservation efforts in the Galapagos?
All donations are tax deductible through the UConn Foundation (501(c)(3))
and all funds are applied directly to our Galapagos work.
For information, please contact me at sarah.knutie@uconn.edu. See more info here.
All donations are tax deductible through the UConn Foundation (501(c)(3))
and all funds are applied directly to our Galapagos work.
For information, please contact me at sarah.knutie@uconn.edu. See more info here.
Knutie Lab
University of Connecticut, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
75 N. Eagleville Rd., Unit 3043, Storrs, CT 06269-3043
E-mail: saknutie AT gmail.com or sarah.knutie AT uconn.edu
Updated August 2019
University of Connecticut, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
75 N. Eagleville Rd., Unit 3043, Storrs, CT 06269-3043
E-mail: saknutie AT gmail.com or sarah.knutie AT uconn.edu
Updated August 2019
