Andrew Wargo

Biography

Andrew Wargo's Curriculum Vitae

My lab studies the ecology and evolution of infectious diseases.  We explore topics such as virulence, pathogen emergence, selective breeding, transmission, co-infection, susceptibility heterogeneity, and microplastic pollution impacts on disease.  This work has largely focused on the system infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) in salmonid hosts, which has global importance to aquaculture, conservation, and fisheries.  However, we have also explored systems such as bacterial cold-water disease (BCWD) caused by Flavobacterium psychrophilum in salmonids, as well as emerging pathogens in American eels in the Chesapeake Bay.  We regularly employ large-scale in vivo experiments to quantify host and pathogen fitness, but also integrate field studies as well as statistical and mathematical models.  This involves classical and cutting-edge techniques in virology, microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, and immunology.  The goal of this work is to inform the direct management of the pathogens of study, but also provide a model for addressing fundamental topics pertinent to animal and human health.  We collaborate with a variety of prominent regional, national, and international investigators at academic institutions, government agencies, and private aquaculture companies.

Publication List

Education

• Ph.D., University of Edinburgh, 2007
• B.A., University of Vermont, 2001

Current Students and Staff

• Isabelle Danforth, Ph.D. student
• Hannah Brown, Laboratory Specialist Senior
• Barbara Rutan, Marine Scientist