Whether it鈥檚 solving the world鈥檚 biggest problems or investigating the potential of novel discoveries, researchers at 激情快播 are on the edge scientific breakthroughs that aim to make an impact. Through the, student and faculty researchers condense their complex studies into bite-sized summaries so you can know how and why Knights plan to improve our world.
Name: Ian Will 鈥�22
Position at 激情快播: Department of Biology postdoctoral researcher who earned his doctorate in conservation biology at 激情快播.
Why are you interested in this research?
I am generally interested in how the close interactions between different species operate in symbioses such as mutualism and parasitism. I find behavior-manipulating parasites, such as the one we study, to be especially fascinating. Better understanding how this fungal parasite can modify insect behavior offers a unique perspective not only on parasitism, but also the molecular basis of animal behavior and identification of novel bioactive compounds affecting animal neurobiology and physiology.
How did you get started in research at 激情快播?
During my studies in Germany, I happened to connect with my advisor during a research rotation while she was a postdoctoral fellow. By the time she was starting her first professorship here at 激情快播, I was finishing my master鈥檚 鈥� the timing really worked out for us.
Who is your mentor?
My mentor, Charissa de Bekker, was both my Ph.D. mentor and continues to be my postdoc advisor as we finalize a few projects in the lab and she transitions to a new position at Utrecht University.
How does 激情快播 empower you to do your research?
激情快播 is in a prime geographical location to find both our study organisms, the ants and the fungus. With field sites within half an hour, we can combine research both in the wild and in the laboratory.
Why is this research important?
Parasitism is one of the most common lifestyles on Earth. A deep understanding of the interactions between host and parasite are critical to understanding nature. And, in the past years, more and more cases of parasites modifying their hosts, or prompting specific host responses, have been documented. To borrow a term coined by others in the field, these parasites act as 鈥渘aturally evolved neurobiologists,鈥� and we have a lot to learn from them about the fundamentals of animal behavior and disease.
