Ray Kaplan, a professor of infectious diseases in the College of Veterinary Medicine, received $41,500 from the animal health company Zoetis to develop a mathematical model of heartworm transmission, drug resistance and intervention. Heartworm is a parasitic infection spread by mosquitoes to dogs, cats, wolves, foxes and many other mammals. Fully developed parasites reside in heart and lung arteries, seriously compromising the health of its animal host.
Kaplan will work with Andrew Park, an assistant professor in the Odum School of Ecology, to develop a mathematical model of heartworm transmission that will help explain the emergence and spread of drug resistance and help veterinarians control the disease.
