Megan Roselli, Outreach Education Coordinator at Da Vinci Science Center, recently had the honor of being published in two peer –reviewed scientific journals for her research on the urban ecology of ticks. Megan conducted her research while pursuing her Master of Science degree in Natural Resource Ecology and Management from Oklahoma State University.

Both papers had to go through an extensive review process in order to be published, including a review by the editor of each of the scientific journals to determine if the papers met the journals’ requirements as well as a review by three experts in the field.

The first paper, titled “Variation in Tick Load Among Bird Body Parts: Implications for Studying the Role of Birds in Ecology and Epidemiology of Tick-Borne Diseases”, was published in the Journal of Medical Entomology. In this study, Megan and her team evaluated methods currently used to search birds for ticks.

The second paper, titled “Rickettsia Parkeri and Candidatus Rickettsia Andeanaein Amblyomma Maculatum Group Ticks”, was published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, a journal published by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. It focuses on ticks collected from the Oklahoma City Metro Area that were tested for various pathogens.

“We are incredibly proud of Megan and all she has accomplished so far,” said Celina Daddario, Outreach Education Manager at Da Vinci Science Center. “She has been an invaluable asset to our team, and has demonstrated a passion and dedication toward bringing science to life and lives to science. We cannot wait to see what else the future has in store for her.”

Megan grew up in Brodheadsville, Pa. and currently holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Wilkes University.  She worked seasonally for the Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park and the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center before pursuing her Master of Science degree in Natural Resource Ecology and Management. Her research has been at national conferences, regional conferences, the Audubon Society meetings and the Wildlife Disease Association meetings. She currently lives in Allentown, Pa. and has been working for the Da Vinci Science Center since July 2019.

To read Megan’s full publications, you can contact her at megan.roselli@nulldavincisciencecenter.org.