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Our lab works to understand the life histories, population, and community dynamics of organisms who facilitate the decomposition process in a variety of ecosystems. Our research has direct application to wildlife, forensic, veterinary, and medical sciences.

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Research Topics

Decomposition Ecology

Carrion Ecology

Mass Mortality Events

Insect Biodiversity and Life History

Population Ecology and Ecological Modeling

Wildlife Ecology

Disease Ecology and Spatial Epidemiology

[Environmental and Medicolegal] Forensic Entomology

Research Space

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The D.E.A.T.H. Ecology Laboratory is located in the Henry E. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences at the University of New Haven. Research is conducted in the laboratory and within recreational forest blocks and agricultural landscapes. 

As a highly collaborative research group with multidisciplinary research goals; students may cross-train with other faculty within and outside the University who specialize in genetics, physiology, biochemistry, and more. 

Current Researchers and Lab Affiliates

Madelyn Casey (Biology)

Mei Conlon (Forensic Science)

Emma Page (Forensic Science)

JD Horne (Forensic Science)

Madeline Gray (Forensic Science)

Abigail Hepler (Forensic Science)

Student Success

Personal Awards

Conference Presentation Awards

Curry College

Research Leadership:

- Taylor Conley ('23)

Departmental Service:

- Sarah Corbin ('23)

 

Excellence in Research:

- William Noyes ('24)

- Dannielle Borrasso ('23)

  

Leadership and Service:

- Hailey Gonsalves ('23)

- Amelia Beauregard ('23)

- Caitlin O'Reilly ('23)

- Lily Turner-Burrell ('23)

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Distinction in Forensic Science ('23):

- Hailey Gonsalves ('23)

Honors Distinction

Curry College

Amelia Beauregard. 2023 

Hailey Gonsalves. 2023 

Caitlin O'Reilly. 2023 

 

Texas A&M University

Steven Graham. 2021

Abby Jones. 2018

Steven Graham. Third Place Undergraduate Oral Presentation Award. Southwestern Branch Meeting of the Entomological Society of America. 2022.

Abby Jones. Second Place Undergraduate Oral Presentation Award. 19th Annual Ecological Integration Symposium, College Station, TX. 2018.

Where are they Now?

Graduate School

- Sarah Corbin [MS, Arcadia University]

- Steven Graham [PhD, Colorado State University]

- Abby Jones [PhD, Mississippi State University]

Medical Examiner Assistant

- Brittany Bailey​ [MA State Office of the Chief Medical Examiner]

-Hailey Gonsalves [MA State Office of the Chief Medical Examiner]

Laboratory Technician

- Taylor Conley [Tufts University]

-Caitlin O'Reilly [IDEXX Laboratories]

- Benjamin Williams [Brigham and Women's Hospital]

Animal Ambassador 

- Sarah Channen [Franklin Park Zoo]

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Data Auditor

- Jovina Monteiro [Data Quest, Ltd.]

Current Research 

Impact of brodifacoum on necrophagous fly life history. Brodifacoum is a anticoagulant utilized as a rodenticide. This research looks to understand the impact of this rodenticide on the longevity, reproductive output, and overall success of flies having colonizing remains exposed to this rat poison.

Filth flies as monitors of Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia duodenales. These protozoan parasites are cryptically spread through ecosystems due to infected hosts often presenting asymptomatically. This work looks to use flies as a mechanism to identify these pathogen's prevalence using flies that interact with infected scat across wild and agricultural landscapes.

 

Method development for use of filth flies to detect pathogen using rapid testing. Rapid tests are cost effective and accessible methods for detecting the presence of target antigens. The goal of this work is to develop a method to allow for the testing of filth flies in ecological monitoring of pathogens using a methodology that is cheaper and easier to access than traditional diagnostic techniques.

Impact of pathogens on necrophagous fly life history. Microbes are important symbionts to filth flies. Due to this relationship, it is likely that there are benefits to flies when encountering certain microbes, pathogenic or otherwise. Current literature suggests these effects are not only pathogen specific, but insect specific as well. This research looks to determine the role Staphylococcus aureus plays on the life histories of several forensically and agriculturally important flies.

Measuring the impact of maggot activity on DNA quality of highly decomposed tissues. DNA is a useful tool in identifying individuals who are too decomposed to use standard techniques. Maggots are known to produce excretions and secretions that can efficiently break down tissue. This work aims to understand the role insects play in degrading DNA from soft tissues during the decomposition process. Principal Investigator: Dr. Ashley Morgan

Students interested in research in the lab should send an email expressing interest with their resume/CV

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