Hot off the presses, our comprehensive survey of soft ticks for relapsing fever Borrelia found two unique strains circulating in Florida! doi.org/10.1371/jour...
Samantha M. Wisely
Samantha M. Wisely
@profwisely.bsky.social
Professor of Wildlife Ecology @UF. Research interests: pathogen pollution from invasive species, One Health, pathogen transmission dynamics, girl rock bands
251 followers182 following48 posts
Congratulations, Dr. An-Chi Cheng for her important contribution to understanding deer health! π§ͺππ©π»βπ¬BVDV is a pathogen mainly of cattle that causes abortions in white-tailed deer. Dr. Cheng is a critical member of our pathogen diagnostics team. Go An-Chi!
Here is another faculty position that looks cool
We're hiring an assistant prof in global change ecology! Apply!!! We're vibrant, supportive, and interdisciplinary EEB community! Plz note the weird dates: We're reviewing applications beginning on β¨August 15thβ¨. I'm part of the SC and happy to answer questions! apply.interfolio.com/164677
Here is an interesting permanent lectureship opportunity
If you know researchers with expertise in forestry/agro forestry please share this permanent lectureship @bangoruniversity.bsky.social. The quality of life in north wales is fabulous: great colleagues & a stunning location. jobs.bangor.ac.uk/details.php....
Just published today! Our group used mosquitoes as flying syringes to conduct surveillance on pathogens of turkeys, white-tailed deer and invasive wild pigs. Not only could we detect DNA and RNA viruses, we could estimate prevalence! ππ§ͺπ©βπ¬ doi.org/10.3390/path...
I recently partnered with the Gene Drive Network to create a blog about how biotechnology helps conservation of the black-footed ferret. Here it is: π©π»βπ¬ππ§ͺ genedrivenetwork.org/blog/science...
Great post about PhD candidate, @emderuyter-ramirez.bsky.social She is an essential team member of the UF Cervidae Health Research Initiative phhp.ufl.edu/2025/05/28/c... π©π»βπ¬ππ§ͺ
I've always had a soft spot for songs that celebrate women being messy and complicated and not always nice. Here's my latest fav! open.spotify.com/track/35ISBk...
Samantha M. Wisely reposted
I'm hiring! Postdoc available in my lab in Ecological Genomics. northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/careers/job/... I will start reviewing applications mid-July. π§ͺπ§βπ¬π₯οΈπ§¬π¦. Please share widely, thanks!
Samantha M. Wisely reposted
The Macquarie PhD scholarship on our new Climate Economy project is now open - working with me, @garethbryant.bsky.social Sophie Weber, @clairerhiannon.bsky.social & Svenja Keele. We'll explore how climate change remakes our political economy. Topic negotiable. www.mq.edu.au/research/phd...
Samantha M. Wisely reposted
Wonderful new 5-year postdoctoral fellowship opportunity at the University of Cambridge on #Biodiversity: www.christs.cam.ac.uk/darwin-hamie...
Samantha M. Wisely reposted
I am recruiting graduate students for Spring 2026 in my Lab at Auburn University. Please share broadlyπ¦ simonislab.weebly.com/opportunitie... linking to π§ͺ and π¦
Samantha M. Wisely reposted
This primer on infection avoidance was incredibly fun to write with @cr-amo.bsky.social and Mandy Gibson. We cover its taxonomic breadth, mechanisms and evolution, and its importance across fields as diverse as public health, conservation, and agriculture. π§ͺ www.cell.com/current-biol... #SymbioSky
Samantha M. Wisely reposted
Check out this cool note from @profwisely.bsky.social Lab reporting that soft ticks feed on feral swine in Florida link.springer.com/article/10.1...
First day at the European Vertebrate Management Conference. Excellent talks, great conversations! ππ§ͺπ©π»βπ¬ www.evmc.online
Today my lab published a manuscript that provides insights about Torqu teno sus virus, a cute little 2800bp virus of pigs! THM: this virus can be used in wildlife ecoepideiology and biosecurity π§ͺππ©π»βπ¬ doi.org/10.3389/fmic...
www.instagram.com/reel/DG8NZk1... Happy International Women's Day! Here's to women in science!π§ͺππ©π»βπ¬
Pussy Riot g.co/kgs/UXRscPR pussyriot.love Perhaps my favorite grrl band of all time. They are feminist heroes who truly live by their words. A Russian collective of punk musicians, members have been imprisoned, beat, and exiled. They continue, undeterred. Rock on, sisters!πππͺ
An alternative to ggplot? Hurray!π―ββοΈ
{tinyplot} 0.3.0 is out! π¨ It's a lightweight #Rstats π¦ to draw beautiful and complex plots, using an ultra-simple and concise syntax. This is a massive release! @gmcd.bsky.social @zeileis.org and I worked hard to add tons of new themes and plot types. Check it out! grantmcdermott.com/tinyplot/
doi.org/10.1038/s415... Single large or several small patches? A 43 year dataset demonstrates that land sparing decreased rodent diversity locally while increasing the vector for and prevalence of Hanta virus. THM: the scale of conservation actions (both in time and space) matter! ππ§ͺπππ
wec.ifas.ufl.edu/cheri/ The UF Cervidae Health Research Initiative held its annual symposium yesterday. We are ecologists, veterinarians, geographers, virologists, and entomologists who use a One Health approach to study deer! ππ§ͺπ©π»βπ¬
open.spotify.com/track/4KfSds... Grrl rock Tues: Sisters Ann & Nancy Wilson of Heart deliver heavy metal vocals, galloping riffs and in your face lyrics. Barracuda is a #metoo anthem aimed at all the producers and promoters who treated them as less than because they were women rockers. Go get em!
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... This study compared two approaches to mapping pathogen hotspots: 1) a top-down global predictive model, 2) a bottom-up expert panel with local knowledge. Most instructive were the mismatches between methods. THM: both approaches have additive value π©π»βπ¬π§ͺπ
Samantha M. Wisely reposted
Okay I started a wildlife health starter pack! Please share and let me know if you want to be added! go.bsky.app/MFMtaMw
doi.org/10.1111/btp.... Dr. Matt Hallett and colleagues published a study showing that Indigenous fire management in a Neotropical ecosystem is an important tool for managing wildlife in Guyana. Community led efforts are critical for long term conservation ππ§ͺπ©π»βπ¬
open.spotify.com/track/02Rkun... Debora Kay Iyall was the lead singer of Romeo Void, one of my favorite New Wave bands of the early 80's. Never Say Never was such a raw, naughty song for its time, and Debora was a misfit inspiration. She is a member of the Cowlitz Native American tribe.
doi.org/10.1007/s112... @coreytcallaghan.bsky.social, and his collaborators synthesized studies on the impact of urban green space on insect diversity. Results are instructive for urban planning. E.g. green roofs should not replace green park space because they do not support as high diversity. π§ͺπ
doi.org/10.1007/s112... Many One Health frameworks exist. This study stands out because the framework identifies risks specific to the region and the diversity of socio-economic groups that live there. Indigenous and local groups were consulted and coauthored the manuscript. πππ§ͺπ©π»βπ¬
doi.org/10.1038/s443... There are some pretty stark statistics in this new perspectives piece on the impact of H5N1 on wildlife. >6% of the world's population of California Condors have died. Apex predators like sea lions have also been hit hard which has the potential to alter ecosystem function.
reviverestore.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?... Revive and Restore has a call for proposals that use stem cell technology to aid in the management of endangered species. Applications due Feb 14th ππ§ͺπ©π»βπ¬
doi.org/10.1016/j.pt... This new review emphasizes the importance of tree canopies as habitat for mosquitos, yet we very rarely look there during vector-borne pathogen surveillance. Are we missing important zoonotic reservoir links in sylvatic disease systems? ππ§ͺπ©βπ¬
open.spotify.com/track/7cdnq4... My love of science is second only to my love of female rockers. The Runaways were a 70's LA rock band. Joan Jett, their guitarist, went on to be one of the most influencial female rockers of all time. I love you, Joan! π©βπ¬πΈπ€ Play this song on volume 11!
doi.org/10.1098/rstb... This new paper asks us to alter the paradigm of disease ecology to integrate ecological with socio-economic data. Humans are not separate from the ecosystem, yet most research treats humans as the endpoint. This perspective shift can create more equitable outcomes. π©π»βπ¬π§ͺπ
explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/53... π§ͺππ©π»βπ¬ My department is advertising for a new leader. We are a diverse and talented group of academics with a broad range of research and Extension interests. And we get along! π―ββοΈ
1 A close encounter with a pygmy spotted skunk in Mexico 2 Untangling a Sandhill Crane from a fence (it was ok) 3 Capturing a sounder of white-lipped peccaries in Paraguay 4 American marten on a hike in Wyoming 5 A Bald Eagle slamming into an Osprey who then dropped a fish right at my feet. ππ§ͺππ¦¨π¦
What are the 5 most memorable wildlife sightings of your life? I've had some incredible encounters: aardvark, platypus, velvet worms, blue whales, honey badger
doi.org/10.1186/s404... A new study increases the utility of remotely sensed data to estimate forage quality and quantity for grazers like red deer. As summers get warmer and drier in Central Europe, understanding changes to summer resources for deer will be imperative for their management. π§ͺπ
doi.org/10.1002/ece3... SDM models can be biased by poor data. Our research group combined extensive surveys with presence/absence modeling to create a habitat suitability model for a soft tick that is capable for vectoring African Swine Fever Virus. ππ§ͺπ©βπ¬ Florida has lots of suitable habitat!
Samantha M. Wisely reposted
Fire regimes in Mediterranean climates are shifting towards more frequent/severe events. Study shows strong links between fire, #plant traits & community response.π₯impacts traits like #seed mass, #leaf area, & wood density at the community level besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/53... ππ§ͺ Our department is accepting applications until Feb 1 for a new department chair. We have a vibrant, fun faculty!
Samantha M. Wisely reposted
π¦ β οΈ Vultures save lives & billions The collapse of vultures in India led to a 4% rise in human mortality due to sanitation impacts, costing $69.4 billion annually. Clearly conserving keystone species has immense social & economic value π www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=... #Conservation #SciComm π§ͺ
doi.org/10.3201/eid3... ππ§ͺLeprosy has become endemic in Florida. A new case report adds evidence that common routes of transmission (contact with infected people or wildlife) do not explain many new infections in Floridians. Another zoonotic disease mystery to solve! #OneHealth #WildlifeDisease
Samantha M. Wisely reposted
Women are under-represented at senior levels in #academia globally, & across all #science π§ͺ disciplines, as shown by these "scissor-shaped curves" βοΈ So how can we ever achieve #gender #equality? We discuss various strategies in this #Cell Commentary #WomeninSTEM www.cell.com/cell/fulltex... π§΅ 1/