The research lab of Dr. Wendy C. Turner
The Turner lab conducts research into the ecology and evolution of infectious diseases, focused on environmentally-transmitted parasites and pathogens. We study ecological, behavioral and genetic factors affecting disease transmission and epidemiology, including host-pathogen interactions, host susceptibility, and pathogen variation and persistence in the environment. We examine how together these contribute to outbreak seasonality and long-term patterns in disease dynamics within and among host species.
Our research currently includes two study systems:
- chronic wasting disease in white-tailed deer in Wisconsin
- anthrax transmission ecology in herbivorous wildlife in Namibia
The Turner lab is working to acquire funding for new research directions in wildlife health and pathogen detection and surveillance. As of Fall 2025, Dr. Turner is not seeking new graduate students to join the lab. When opportunities become available, they will be posted here and on other websites.