How viruses move between wildlife and people in Uganda
Phylogenetic modeling of viral transmission dynamics at the human-wildlife interface in Uganda
Researchers will collect samples from red colobus monkeys and people who live near them in Uganda to find and track viruses that can jump between animals and people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11098622 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you live near Kibale National Park, the team will follow red colobus monkeys and people who neighbor the forest to learn where viruses spread. They will record monkey behavior in forest areas with different levels of human disturbance and interview local residents about how they interact with wildlife. The project will take repeat biological samples from individually identified monkeys and volunteer residents to sequence gut viruses and check for shared parasites. New evolutionary (phylodynamic) models will be used to map how detected viruses move and change between monkeys and people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people living along the boundary of Kibale National Park in Uganda who have regular contact with the forest or wildlife and are willing to provide repeat biological samples and interview responses.
Not a fit: People who do not live near or interact with these wildlife populations or who cannot travel to the study area are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could help detect emerging viruses earlier and guide actions to reduce the risk of viruses jumping from wildlife to people.
How similar studies have performed: Previous wildlife surveillance and genomic sequencing efforts have identified shared viruses and past spillovers, but applying new phylodynamic models specifically at the human–wildlife interface is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Milich, Krista — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Milich, Krista
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 below.