Biodiversity, Humans and Pathogens
70% of the infectious diseases that affect humans, spillover from animals. In this talk, Uma Ramakrishnan explored some examples of spillover. She discussed her studies that investigated spillover in India in two biodiversity hotspots, the Western ghats and northeastern India. By talking about the role of biodiversity—and specific groups of animals like bats and rats—she argued that a One Health approach is crucial to reducing the outbreak of zoonotic diseases.
About the Molecular Ecologist
Uma Ramakrishnan has spent the last fifteen years studying biodiversity, and how humans are affecting it. She and her team work across habitats and landscapes in India to investigate biogeography, conservation genetics and emerging infectious disease.
