Interdisciplinary

David Civitello, PhD

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, EMORY COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, BIOLOGY

Peter Little, MD

PROFESSOR, EMORY COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, ANTHROPOLOGY

Linking Movement Patterns of Ranging Livestock Herds in Mwanza, Tanzania to Transmission Potential of Human Schistosomes

Schistosomiasis is an infectious disease caused by parasitic, waterborne worms that infect 150 million people. Despite the availability of treatment, communities experience high reinfection rates due to dependence on schistosome-infested waterbodies. Before infecting humans, schistosomes must first infect snails, with snails in nutrient-rich environments releasing more schistosomes, thereby increasing infection risk. In East Africa, a significant source of waterbody nutrient load comes from ranging herds of livestock that excrete nutrient-rich manure into waterbodies, with higher snail infection prevalences and greater per snail schistosome release rates observed in waterbodies visited by livestock. Despite livestock manure acting as a potential nutrient driver, herd movements are poorly understood, as are the socioecological factors governing herd movement, significantly limiting understanding on the spatial and temporal patterns of manure deposition into the landscape. We propose an interdisciplinary mixed-method approach to investigate landscape-level impacts of livestock manure on schistosomiasis. First, we will characterize herd movement patterns around Mwanza, Tanzania using GPS tracking collars (AIM 1). We will then conduct qualitative interviews to expound upon social norms and regulations governing herd movement (AIM 2). Finally, we will incorporate these data into an agent-based model to simulate landscape-level transmission dynamics while tracking snails, humans, and livestock and test how different livestock management decisions could alter transmission risk (AIM 3). This interdisciplinary project will improve our understanding of the socioecological mechanisms governing schistosomiasis in East Africa, engage Emory faculty in addressing novel questions to expand expertise, and transcend boundaries between social and ecological sciences to pursue societally impactful research. 

Nicholas Giordano, PhD

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, NELL HODGSON WOODRUFF SCHOOL OF NURSING, NURSING

Vinita Singh, MD

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, ANESTHESIA

Jinbing Bai, PhD

Assistant Professor, NELL HODGSON WOODRUFF SCHOOL OF NURSING, NURSING

Calli Cook, PhD

Associate Professor, NELL HODGSON WOODRUFF SCHOOL OF NURSING, NURSING

Characterizing Microbiome Profiles Linked to the Development of Chronic Postsurgical Pain

This interdisciplinary study will explore the relationship between gut microbiome composition and the development of chronic postsurgical pain in patients undergoing shoulder surgery. Preoperative microbiome samples will be collected from patients for rRNA sequencing to profile bacterial diversity. Postoperative samples will be taken at 3 months and also sequenced. These microbiome data will be paired with patient-reported pain outcomes, inflammatory markers, and clinical data. The study will investigate whether preoperative microbiome diversity and specific bacterial taxa correlate with CPSP severity and whether changes in microbiome composition post-surgery affect pain outcomes.

Study Goals: The primary goal of this work is to identify microbiome-related biomarkers that may predict the occurrence and severity of CPSP. Specific aims include: 1) Characterizing the gut microbiome and determining its association with postoperative pain outcomes; 2) Investigating the role of longitudinal changes in markers linked to gut-brain axis in modulating pain sensitivity and the transition to CPSP. The study will explore whether distinct microbiome profiles are associated with increased pain and CPSP risk, potentially offering a novel avenue for early identification and intervention.

Impact: This research will provide crucial insights into the role of the microbiome in postoperative pain, offering a foundation for future studies focused on microbiome-based interventions (e.g., prebiotics or probiotics) to prevent or reduce CPSP. The results could lead to personalized pain management strategies and improving patient outcomes. Additionally, this study will generate pilot data to support larger, federally funded research efforts targeting microbiome modulation for pain management from our interdisciplinary team of investigators. 

Jennifer Rieser, PhD

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, EMORY COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, PHYSICS

Amir Pourmorteza, MD

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, EMORY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, RADIOLOGY AND IMAGING SCIENCES

Dynamics of living and reconfigurable transport networks

Fire ants build intricate nests of tunnels and chambers that support their colonies’ survival and success. These structures help regulate temperature, facilitate airflow, and enable efficient movement, all of which contribute to their adaptability as one of the world’s most invasive species. Despite their ecological and economic impact, how these ants build and use their nests remains poorly understood. Our project combines advanced 3D imaging with innovative feeding techniques to explore fire ant nests like never before. By feeding ants iodine-enriched food, we make them visible in CT scans, allowing us to track their movements and interactions within the nest. This method enables us to study both the structure of the nests and the behaviors of the ants that use them. We aim to uncover how ants construct and navigate their nests, and how these structures are adapted or reconfigured over time. This research will reveal the dynamic relationship between the physical nest and its function, shedding light on how fire ants thrive in diverse environments. Beyond advancing our understanding of biological networks, our findings could inform strategies to mitigate the spread of invasive species and inspire innovations in fields like robotics and imaging. This project lays the groundwork for future studies by providing key data and methodologies, ensuring that fire ants' fascinating and complex behaviors are captured in unprecedented detail.