Host evolution after disease outbreaks in birds
Official title: Host evolution in the wake of contemporary outbreaks of disease
Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-11495546 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers study how wild bird populations respond evolutionarily when new diseases jump into their communities, using the Galapagos as a natural laboratory.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $104,368 |
| NIH project number | 3R35GM156783-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11495546 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal interest for bird ecologists and conservationists studying disease dynamics in island ecosystems or similar avian communities.
✕Less likely to help
There is no direct medical treatment or patient participation involved for humans.
What this research studies
This project follows how birds adapt over time to new diseases that have entered their populations, looking at changes in genetics, life history, and population demographics. By comparing historical parasite introductions with more recent ones, scientists aim to see real-time evolutionary responses in Darwin’s finches and Galapagos mockingbirds. The work combines field observations with genomic analyses to link disease pressure to heritable changes in host populations. Results could illuminate how disease shapes wildlife populations and inform conservation in biodiversity hotspots.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Gaining knowledge about how disease drives evolution in wildlife could improve conservation strategies and help predict how disease pressures may affect biodiversity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in natural populations has shown detectable evolutionary responses to disease pressure in wildlife, supporting this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arizona
Tucson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcnew, Sabrina — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Mcnew, Sabrina
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.