African mole-rats as potential reservoirs for zoonotic disease : variation with species, habitat and effects of climate change

This project will explore zoonotic disease transmission within the understudied subterranean rodent family of African mole-rats. Pathways of disease spread will be explored to wild, agricultural, and domestic animals, in the context of changing climatic conditions. Physiological capabilities could influence the mole-rats’ role as potential reservoirs for zoonotic diseases, which may be further impacted by climate change. By studying disease and parasite load, the student will gain a comprehensive understanding of how environmental challenges might alter disease dynamics within mole-rat populations, which occur across diverse habitats. They will apply their findings to evaluate zoonotic risks to agricultural, domestic, and wild animals, as well as humans, identifying biosecurity measures to mitigate spill-over threats. This holistic approach will prepare the student to address complex challenges at the interface of wildlife health, ecosystem integrity, and human well-being.

Supervised by Dr Michael Scantlebury at Queen's University Belfast. Co-supervised by Professor Nikki Marks (Queen's University Belfast) and Professor Darrell Abernethy (Aberystwyth University). External partners are Professor Nigel Bennett and Dr Daniel Hart at the University of Pretoria.

More details see FindaPhD