Laura Stancampiano

The research consist mainly in the study of parasites and parasite infections, in particular from an ecological and epidemiological point of view. Development of statistical methodologies suitable for modeling host-parasite relationship. The ecological point of view typically applies to the study of infections in free ranging animals and to the study of parasitic biocoenosis. Understanding the ecology of parasites allows, when necessary, the analysis of possible means of control and  management of infections and of host populations. The ecological approach, taking advantage also of mathematical-statistical procedures, will also be applied to the study of parasitism of livestock and /or to the study of zoonoses, especially with regard to their eradication and control. Applications to organic farming should be particularly interesting. Recently is collaborating, as regards the epidemiological aspects,  to researches related to various field of veterinary medicine, even if not strictly parasitological.

The research lines consist mainly in the study of parasites and parasite infections from an ecological and epidemiological point of view, and the development of statistical methodologies suitable for modeling this relationship. The ecological point of view typically applies to the study of infections in free living populations (wildlife), in particular to the dynamics of population (both the host and the parasite ones) and to the study of parasitic biocenosi as a part of an ecosystem. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the ecology of parasites allows the assessment of possible means of control or management (as may be necessary, for example, in case of infection because of zoonoses or major economic impact). The ecological approach can also be applied to the study of parasitism of livestock or zoonoses. Recent researchs were about: 1- parasite dynamic and the phenomena of intra-and inter-specific competition among parasites, particularly in equids. These phenomena, often mediated by the host immune response, would be able to control parasite populations enabling coexistence; 2 - ecology of parasites in protected wild populations  (zebra Italian hare); 3- relationship between colic and parasites in horses (in collaboration with the surgery team); 4-european hare parasites.