Network from global shifts publication
EpiCenter for Disease Dynamics

Research Spotlight

Thermal imagery of flying bats
Thermal imagery of bats in flight.
Credit: Sarah Lagattuta and Janna Freeman.

Our cross campus research team is developing integrated sensing systems to detect shifts in wildlife movements and changes in health status to inform on the risk of emerging disease threats. A combination of innovative data capture and autonomous sensing will allow mapping of habitat and climate, and characterize behavior, density, movement, species mixing, and social interactions. Along with emerging techniques for real-time detection of pathogens in the air and water, ecological and health information can be combined for a range of wildlife. In collaboration with local stakeholders, we are piloting our innovative techniques over the next year while conducting bat population surveillance at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area.