Undergraduate Research & Scholarships

Marina Norfolk SURF SMART

The Monoculture Effect Host Genetic Diversity and Infectious Disease Evolution

Interactions between infectious diseases and their hosts underpin a vast array of ecological and evolutionary dynamics. These host-parasite interactions are thought to contribute to the maintenance of genetic diversity in animal, plant, and insect hosts. One important factor in this is called the monoculture effect where genetically homogenous host populations may select for more virulent pathogens. This project seeks to test the monoculture effect in the Boots labs Plodia interpunctella (Indian Meal Moth) and granulosis virus model system.

Message To Sponsor

Thank you so much for serving as my donor for the SURF-SMART program for Summer 2020! This experience allowed me to hone my research abilities and learn more about my own interests in pursuing infectious disease research. Thanks to this program, I now have a greater understanding of my professional, academic, and personal interests. I value my gained confidence and can credit this experience to helping me understand my next steps both academically and in my career as a researcher. Without your help and support, none of this would have been possible for me - thank you so much for allowing me to pursue my goals!