Andrea Chaves

My investigations are focused on wildlife diseases and disease ecology, combining molecular, social and environmental analysis to understand the dynamics of infectious agents in animal wildlife. I have developed my research in various taxa, and with a broad spectrum of infectious agents (viruses, bacteria, parasites) primarily from environments in the wild of Latin America - Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Costa Rica. These have provided the opportunity to develop critical questions with appropriate and diverse models of organisms and systems. The unifying theme of my research is to understand the general variables favoring the presence of infectious diseases, in diverse communities across multiple spatial scales affected by anthropogenic activities. I am president and founding partner of the AWA Science & Conservation Association for Costa Rica, which now has been active for over three years. I founded this organization together with other Costa Rican researchers. Through this non-profit, I fulfill part of my personal commitment to contribute my skills to the training of young people with interest in conservation and disease ecology, and develop programs that integrate society and science to solve challenges for the mesoamerican region.

July 2018