Wildlife Trust Introduces the Addition of Two Scientists

Emerging Disease Research Team Expands to Include Mathematical Modeler & Field Veterinarian 

NEW YORK - May 11, 2010 - Wildlife Trust announces two new members to its growing scientific team.  Both Elizabeth Loh and Melinda "Mindy" Rostal recently joined the organization to work on key emerging disease research programs including field work, mathematical modeling and data collection. 

Wildlife Trust is a global conservation health organization that examines the effects of human-induced ecological change and the implications on wildlife conservation and public health.  Around the world, Wildlife Trust scientists work to predict and prevent the spread of emerging diseases and protect wildlife from failing ecosystems.

As a modeling research assistant, Elizabeth Loh is studying human-risk behavior as an underlying driver of emerging infectious diseases and anthropogenic changes on wildlife habitats. With a focus on the human-wildlife-livestock interface, Elizabeth examines how global wildlife trade, logging, and bushmeat hunting create disease pathways for pathogens to move from wildlife hosts to people.  This research utilizes mathematical modeling of current datasets to develop preventative measures in order to combat the adverse effects of human-induced ecological changes in landscape, hunting and global trade.

Elizabeth earned her B.A. in Anthropology and Spanish from the University of Kentucky and went on to receive her M.S. from the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) at the University of Kent - both degrees were achieved with honors. 

Melinda "Mindy" Rostal joined the organization as a field veterinarian working on viral surveillance research in emerging infectious disease hotspots around the world with assistance from Wildlife Trust's network of global partners. Mindy will further advance conservation medicine programs, training and research.  "Our scientific teams examine the overall health of ecosystems, wildlife, livestock and human populations to develop applied science-based solutions to combat disease, urbanization, climate change and endangered species," said Dr. Peter Daszak, president of Wildlife Trust.

While attending Princeton University, Mindy earned a BA in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. She went on to complete a dual-degree program at the University of Minnesota where she graduated with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and a Masters in Public Health. Mindy's master thesis examined the activity of Rift Valley fever in Kenya among wildlife, domestic livestock and people.

About Wildlife Trust
Wildlife Trust is an international conservation organization dedicated to protecting wildlife and safeguarding human health from the emergence of disease.  We believe the key to long-term, grassroots involvement requires local conservation expertise.
 
Building on more than 35 years of innovative science, Wildlife Trust develops solutions to combat the effects of damaged ecosystems on human and wildlife health. We focus on all of the aspects of a healthy planet - wildlife, ecosystems and human health.
 
Wildlife Trust specializes in saving biodiversity in human-dominated ecosystems where ecological health is most at risk from habitat loss, species imbalance, pollution and other environmental issues.
Wildlife Trust scientists identify and examine the causes impacting the health of global ecosystems in the U.S. and more than 20 countries worldwide. The organization's strength is built upon innovations in research, education, and training a global network of Wildlife Trust Alliance conservation partners.

###