Richard S. Ostfeld

Disease ecologist focused on interactions among organisms affecting risk of human exposure to infectious diseases and the dynamics of terrestrial communities e.g., forest regeneration, rodent and songbird populations, gypsy moths. For >25 years, he designed and executed elegant studies showing that the occurrence of Lyme disease--the most prevalent emerging infectious disease in the U.S.--is determined by the abundance of white-footed mice in northern hardwood forests, which in turn is dependent on acorn production by oak trees. Work demonstrates that Lyme disease occurrence can only be understood in the context of processes in the entire forest ecosystem. The epidemiology of Lyme is determined by the total diversity of alternative host species in the forest, with forests of low biodiversity posing a greater risk of the disease for humans. His studies show the importance of biodiversity to human health and wellbeing, and provide a model for other studies of emerging infectious diseases worldwide.