We are pleased to invite you to attend the dissertation thesis defence of Johana Alaverdyan on “Investigating Ixodid Ticks, Tick-Borne Pathogens, and Their Presence in Neglected Ecosystems and Unconventional Hosts” (Department of Animal Science and Food Processing, Tropical Agrobiology and Bioresource Management). Thesis defence will take place on 22.3.2024 at 10:00 AM, Meeting Room 313 FTA.
Johana’s academic research aimed to advance understanding of ticks and tick-borne diseases (TTBDs), focusing on landscape dynamics and unconventional hosts. It evaluated TTBD risks to exotic animals in farms and zoos, illuminating their susceptibility to tick-borne pathogens and broader ecological implications. It also examined the relationship between landscape management and tick prevalence, considering human interventions like land use changes. Understanding this interplay is crucial for mitigating TTBD spread. Additionally, it evaluated and proposed tailored management strategies for tick and TTBD control.