Skylar Hopkins is an Assistant Professor at NC State University, where she researches parasite and disease ecology to better understand how parasites are maintained in complex ecological systems. Her ...
IUCN COMMISSION GROUP
IUCN SSC Parasite Specialist Group
Overview and description
Description:
Parasites are vulnerable to extinction and play important roles in ecosystems, but there are very few existing conservation policies or programs that focus on parasite conservation at any level of ...
Group leadership
Dr Skylar HOPKINS
Co-Chair
Skylar Hopkins is an Assistant Professor at NC State University, where she researches parasite and disease ecology to better understand how parasites are maintained in complex ecological systems. Her research falls under the One Health umbrella and aims to simultaneously safeguard or improve the health of people, animals, and ecosystems.
Dr Mackenzie KWAK
Co-Chair
Mackenzie Kwak is a parasitologist based at Hokkaido University (Japan) where his research focuses on the ecology and conservation of parasites, systematics and species discovery, as well as zoonotic diseases and human health. He has a particular passion for ectoparasites, primarily ticks, mites, and fleas.
Mackenzie Kwak is a parasitologist based at Hokkaido University (Japan) where his research focuses on the ecology and conservation of parasites, systematics and species discovery, as well as zoonotic ...
More about the Specialist Group
When the Parasite Specialist Group began work in 2023, fewer than 10 metazoan parasites that use vertebrate hosts had been assessed for the IUCN Red List, yet as much as 30% of parasite species are estimated to be at risk of extinction in the next century. To better understand where and why parasite species are threatened, the Parasite Specialist Group is facilitating more assessments for individual parasite species.
