Biography
Aniruddha Belsare is a disease ecologist with a background in veterinary medicine, pathogen modeling, and conservation research. He uses an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates ecologic, epidemiologic and model-based investigations to understand how pathogens spread through, persist in, and impact host populations. One of the main objectives of Aniruddha’s research is to translate insights gained from an analytical approach into actionable outcomes for managers and policymakers.
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Interests
- Wildlife Disease Ecology
- One Health
- Disease Modeling
- Agent-based models
- Rabies
Education
PhD in Wildlife Science (with a focus on Disease Ecology), 2013
University of Columbia, Missouri
Bachelor of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry (B.V.Sc & A.H.), 1996
Bombay Veterinary College
Skills
R
Shiny
Statistics
NetLogo
Wildlife immobilization
Experience
Assistant Professor of Disease Ecology
Faculty Affiliate
Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) modeling research in collaboration with University of Montana faculty and State Wildlife Agencies.
Associate Academic Research Scientist
Responsibilities include:
- Developing individual-based models of complex host-pathogen systems
- Informing wildlife disease management programs
Research Associate
Developed new, high-level quantitative tools that informed wildlife disease management in Michigan and elsewhere. Specific focus was on chronic wasting disease (CWD), an emerging disease of white-tailed deer. E.g. https://rpubs.com/anyadoc/OvCWD_APR
Postdoctoral Fellow
Responsibilities:
- Leader, OneHealth Working Group
- Disease Modeling: Bighorn sheep pneumonia
- Disease Modeling: Canine rabies
Postdoctoral Fellow
University of Missouri
Analysis of wildlife diseases in the state of Missouri. Specific focus on CWD in white-tailed deer. Developed a model-based framework to support surveillance and management of CWD.
Projects
The CWD modeling project began in 2014 in collaboration Josh Millspaugh (University of Montana), Matt Gompper (University of Missouri, later New Mexico State University) and Missouri Department of Conservation. We developed an agent-based modeling framework for assessing the efficacy of harvest-based disease surveillance in white-tailed deer populations of Missouri. We also developed a spatially-explicit, agent-based model of chronic wasting disease transmission in white-tailed deer populations. This model was used to assess the rate of CWD spread in Missouri, as well as to evaluate alternate management strategies to limit the spread of CWD. The CWD Modeling Framework was subsequently (2019-2021) adapted to simulate Michigan white-tailed deer populations and then applied to assess alternate harvest strategies for their impact on CWD spread. I also collaborated with Atle Mysterud (University of Oslo) and Hildegunn Viljugrein (Norwegian Veterinary Institute) to apply the modeling framework to reindeer populations, and we assessed surveillance and harvest strategies for the reindeer populations of Norway. The CWD modeling framework is also being used to inform CWD management in Indiana (in collaboration with Purdue University) and Texas (supported by a USDA-APHIS grant). Current work on assessing public practices like baiting, supplemental feeding and carcass movements for their impact on the establishment and spread of CWD in regional deer populations is supported by a grant from the Safari Club International Foundation. Summary of the work done so far https://gist.github.com/anyadoc/4340276f3cfdc87ce145ca1275199941
Featured Publications
Recent Publications
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(2020).
Size matters: Sample size assessments for chronic wasting disease surveillance using an agent-based modeling framework.
MeX.
(2020).
An agent-based framework for improving wildlife disease surveillance: A case study of chronic wasting disease in Missouri white-tailed deer.
EcoMod.
(2018).
Genetic polymorphism of Baylisascaris procyonis in host infrapopulations and component populations in the Central USA.
Parasitology International.
(2017).
Geographic distribution records of Macracanthorhynchus ingens (Archiacanthocephala: Oligacanthorhynchidae) from the raccoon, Procyon lotor in North America.
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science.
(2015).
A model-based approach for investigation and mitigation of disease spillover risks to wildlife: dogs, foxes and canine distemper in central India.
Ecological Modelling.
(2015).
To vaccinate or not to vaccinate: Lessons learned from an experimental mass vaccination of free-ranging dog populations.
Animal Conservation.
Recent & Upcoming Talks
Recent Posts
Contact
- abelsare@auburn.edu
- 573 808 42 87
- 2345 CFWE Building, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849
- Email for appointment
- By appointment only
- Book an appointment
- DM Me
- Skype Me