Scientists

Dr. Cecilia Sánchez

Research Scientist

"We live in an increasingly interconnected world where humans and wildlife frequently overlap. Identifying strategies to promote wildlife conservation and reduce disease transmission is critical for safeguarding human and wildlife health."

Scientists Bio

As a Research Scientist at EcoHealth Alliance, Dr. Cecilia Sánchez is part of the EID-SEARCH (Emerging Infectious Diseases-South East Asia Research Collaboration Hub) team. Her work focuses on understanding socio-ecological factors that precipitate pathogen spillover from wildlife to humans. She is especially interested in bat- and rodent-borne pathogens including paramyxoviruses, coronaviruses, and hantaviruses.

Dr. Sánchez earned a Ph.D. in Ecology from the Odum School of Ecology at the University of Georgia. Her dissertation work examined the effects of urban landscapes on wildlife behavior, exposure to toxicants, and disease dynamics, and involved extensive fieldwork with flying foxes in Australia. She also founded WiSci (Women in Science) at UGA, a group that seeks to promote equality in the sciences by offering opportunities for mentoring, networking, and career development. Dr. Sánchez is the recipient of the 2021 Robert C. Anderson Memorial Award, awarded by the University of Georgia for outstanding research.

Dr. Sánchez holds a B.S. in Biology from Yale University and has conducted internships at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory and the Lincoln Park Zoo. Her work is published in a variety of leading journals, including Ecology Letters, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, Biology Letters, and PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. She has received funding from sources such as the National Science Foundation, National Geographic, the ARCS Foundation, and The Explorers Club.

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