Expanding Populations of Ticks in West Michigan: Ecology, Surveillance, and Prevention

Populations of blacklegged ticks have been expanding in West Michigan over the past 20 years. Over the same time, Lyme disease has emerged as a major health concern for West Michiganders. Join Dr. Will Miller, Assistant Professor of Biology at Calvin University, for a discussion on the ecology of disease-carrying ticks in Michigan, the roles of environmental factors, such as wildlife, plants, and climate change play in the distribution and abundance of ticks and tick-borne diseases, and ways that you can protect yourself and your pets from tick bites. Dr. Miller will also discuss emerging health concerns on the horizon, such as the more recent emergence of lone star tick populations Michigan.

Dr. Will Miller is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Calvin University and a Certified Wildlife Biologist®. His research focuses on the interaction of wildlife and health systems. Prior to Calvin University, Dr. Miller completed his Ph.D. in Ecology from Penn State University on white-tailed deer and chronic wasting disease. He also has interests in wildlife conservation and has contributed to projects related to the applied ecology of stream salamanders, brook trout, and merlin falcons.