Infectious Disease & Global Health
The Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health (IDGH) established in 2013, applies a multidisciplinary approach to advancing the health and well-being of animals, people, and our global ecosystem. Areas of expertise include public/population health, international medicine, wildlife medicine, and conservation medicine. The alignment of these areas promotes cross-disciplinary strengths that are important in achieving our goal of improving human, animal, and ecosystem health locally, nationally, and internationally. The department has a strong focus on emerging zoonotic diseases and its faculty are recognized internationally as leaders in the field. The department is comprised of clinicians, basic scientists, and field researchers who are dedicated to teaching, clinical service, and global health research.
Concentrations and Special Programs
Graduate Programs
Engineering the End of Lyme Disease
For over 40 years, Cummings School professor and epidemiologist Sam Telford has been studying ticks on Nantucket, where 15% of residents have been afflicted with Lyme disease. Working alongside researchers from MIT on the Mice Against Tick project, they are aiming to tackle the transmission of the disease not through the deer often associated with it, but through the wild mice that are the main carriers of Lyme.
Research
Faculty members of the Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health (IDGH) conduct research on viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic and protozoan pathogens of veterinary and medical importance.
Faculty
News
Genetically engineered mice could take the bite out of Lyme disease on Nantucket, scientists say
Professor Sam Telford & MIT collaborators on the Mice Against Ticks project are featured by 60 Minutes on their work to fight Lyme disease.
How Bird Flu Became a Human Pandemic Threat
Scientist Wendy Puryear is quoted throughout a Scientific American podcast on avian influenza.
Yikes! Boston Rats Spreading Disease
Research from Assistant Professor Marieke Rosenbaum into rats and leptospirosis is discussed on WBZ Radio’s Nightside with Dan Rea.
Rats in Boston may be spreading potentially deadly disease, Tufts University study says
Research from Assistant Professor Marieke Rosenbaum into rats and leptospirosis is highlighted in this CBS Boston story.
Rats in Boston are spreading a potentially deadly disease, research says
Assistant Professor Marieke Rosenbaum is quoted through this Boston Globe feature story on her research on rats and leptospirosis.
Professor Emerita Florina Tseng
Associate Dean for Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Climate, Dr. Tseng served as director of Tufts Wildlife Clinic and professor of wildlife medicine
Contact Us
The Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine is always happy to speak with you and answer any questions. Our contact information follows:
Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health
Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University
20 Wildlife Drive, Bldg. 20
North Grafton, MA 01536
Phone: 508-887-4374
Fax: 508-839-7911