Research summary
Despite their tiny size, parasites can dramatically affect their hosts’ function, energy and behaviours—with profound consequences for the health of animals, humans and the environment. These effects are increasingly difficult to predict as the virulence of many parasites increases due to climate change.
As Canada Research Chair in the Eco-Evolution of Host-Parasite Interactions, Dr. Sandra Binning is applying a One Health perspective to understand how environmental and social changes can affect the way people acquire, manage and recover from parasite infections. Using fish as model systems, she and her research team are identifying the drivers and impacts of parasitic infection on host energy balance, metabolism and movement as well as the vulnerability of these hosts to a warming climate. Their work highlights the importance of healthy aquatic ecosystems on the well-being of communities.