This episode of Talk Polymath focuses on the circle of life of infectious diseases like COVID-19 and how viruses spill back into the natural world through reverse zoonosis or anthroponosis. Our guests Krista Milich, Ph.D., biological anthropologist at Washington University in St. Louis and Stephen Morse, Ph.D., epidemiologist at Columbia University Medical Center, will explore reasons for the increased emergence of zoonotic infectious diseases and the role human activity plays in this trend.

Dr. Krista Milich is an assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology at Washington University in St. Louis. She is a biological anthropologist and primatologist who studies how both the natural and social environment can impact behaviors, physiology, and health.
Find Dr. Milich on social: LinkedIn | Twitter | Website

Dr. Stephen S. Morse is a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. His interests focus on epidemiology and risk assessment of infectious diseases (particularly emerging infections, including influenza), and improving disease early warning systems. In 2000, he returned to Columbia after 4 years in government as program manager for Biodefense at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Department of Defense, where he co-directed the Pathogen Countermeasures program and subsequently directed the Advanced Diagnostics program.
Find Dr. Morse on social: LinkedIn | Twitter | Website

Suggested readings from this episode:

• Etymologia: Coronavirus
• The Secret Life of a Coronavirus
• Nothing Eats Viruses, Right? Meet Some Hungry Protists
• Nextstrain

__________

Talk Polymath is Polyplexus.com's monthly podcast series which features evidence-based conversations and invites global science leaders to converse about topics in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math. From public health to changing models and trends in technology, this podcast engages in current cultural interests across disciplines.

For more information visit www.polyplexus.com.