Research Focus:
My interest is in the host-parasite relationships of a group of flatworms
known as digenetic trematodes. Specifically, I work with blood
flukes--some species cause a serious disease in the tropics known
as Schistosomiasis
(=Bilharzia) and other nonhuman species (primarily bird species)
cause a skin dermatitis called swimmer's itch. In 1985, I introduced
a new
method of controlling swimmer's itch by treating the avian hosts
with a drug called Praziquantel to purge the hosts of the adult
worms. This
is in contrast to applying a molluscicide to lakes in order to
interrupt the life cycle by killing the snail intermediate hosts.
A second
interest deals with the effect that parasites have on drugs that
are known to
cause carcinomas. At the present time, I am working with a colleague,
Dr. James Gentile, who is looking the effects of the liver fluke,
Fasciola hepatica in mice that are also exposed to various chemicals.
Personal Interest:
When I have leisure time, I like to travel to various countries,
often in conjunction with my work. Because of my interests in
tropical medicine,
I have visited nearly 40 countries, most of them in the warmer
regions of the world. Other interests include working with wood,
photography,
and sports. I have a wife and two children who are college professors,
one in Biology and the other in Health and Physical Education.
