Olivia Colman

Olivia Colman is a Master’s student in theFaculty of Veterinary Medical Sciences at the University of Calgary, studyinghow biting insects transmit disease to wildlife in the Canadian Arctic. Herresearch combines molecular biology, field sampling and experimental infectionsto investigate parasitic nematodes in black flies and mosquitoes, includingwhen these insects become infective. By generating this data, she aims toanswer questions raised by northern communities about how insects may affectthe caribou that Inuit rely on for food and cultural practice. Through a OneHealth lens, her work connects vector, parasite and wildlife health with thewellbeing of the communities that depend on them.