The Anthropocene is an unofficial geologic unit of time that marks the period when human activities began significantly altering Earth’s climate and ecosystems. These human-induced changes are often complex and multifaceted, creating interactive effects on natural systems that are sometimes overlooked.

My research focuses on understanding how the interactions of multiple forms of human-change may influence ecological communities differently than if they were studied individually. Specifically, my dissertation examines how human impacts affect the density and abundance of arthropod vectors, such as ticks and mosquitoes. These species are not only critical to study due to their role in the transmission of zoonotic diseases but also serve as sentinel species, providing valuable insights into the broader ecological consequences of human environmental change.