Hugh Lefcort

I am a behavioral ecologist interested in ecotoxicology and the effects of pollution and parasites on invertebrate behavior. In teaching and training students my goal is to produce students that are critical thinkers. My aim is not to educate leaders, or those who have a global impact, or those who fight for a cause, but to train students to examine an issue from all sides and come to independent conclusions - even if those findings stand athwart convention.

Lately my students and I have been studying the effects of Rickettsia bacteria on the behavior of their dog tick and wood tick hosts. Some species of Rickettsia cause Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) but ticks in our area may contain a species that prevents the ticks from carrying RMSF. We have been looking at how a global rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide may affect tick questing behavior. I am always looking for diligent and intellectually curious students to become a part of the lab for research projects.