Assistant Professor
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences | Department of Entomology
Hometown: Honduras
Dr. Adela Oliva Chavez is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, previously at Texas A&M University. She is interested in the molecular mechanisms behind tick-borne pathogen transmission and how ticks manipulate host responses to their benefit. She is also interested in developing novel management and diagnostic tools against tick-borne diseases.
These talks can also be offered in Spanish and French.
Talks:
What doesn’t kill ticks, makes them stronger
Ticks have been parasitizing vertebrates for millions of years. The first records of tick/vertebrate interactions dates to the times of dinosaurs. The interactions with the host immune system has led them to develop sophisticated mechanisms to counteract it, manipulate it, and feed better.
Understanding the enemy in your backyard
Ticks transmit a wide array of pathogens that infect people, your pets, and even your livestock. Knowing how they detect you and how they transmit these pathogens, can help you prevent being infected. This talk covers tick biology and the basic information about pathogen transmission by ticks.