Viral Genomics & Evolution of HIV & SARS-CoV-2
Computational biology projects exploring within-patient viral evolution of RNA viruses under different ecological and social stressors in humans.
The HIV project is currently being led by me, with support from two research assistants, Ana Rodriguez Vega and Evan Ho, and Dr. Pleuni Pennings and Dr. Adi Stern, and involves a combination of bioinformatics and R programming to assess genetic, protein, and functional change in HIV during the course of patient infection.
The SARS-CoV-2 project is currently in planning stages with a focus on preliminary data and funding initiatives and potential for upcoming (2022-2023) collaborative & student opportunity.
Tradeoffs between Reproduction and Immunity in wild chimpanzees
Using gastrointestinal parasite surveys from 700 fecal samples and more than 120 wild chimpanzees from two communities in Uganda, I examined the hypothesis that greater investment in reproduction in female and male chimpanzees would cause compensatory declines in immune function and higher parasite burdens.
The first half of this project on female chimpanzee reproduction and aging and parasite burden was published in 2020. The second half examining reproductive effort across sexes and under varying physiological condition (measured by hormones) is currently in prep. These projects were led by me and supported by Dr. Melissa Emery Thompson, Dr. Tony Goldberg, the Kibale Chimpanzee Project, Ngogo Chimpanzee Project, and students at University of Wisconsin – Madison who assisted parasite microscopy.
Chimpanzee Patr-B Diversity & Viral Respiratory Infection
This project is complete and is currently under coauthor review for publication. Combining genetic, respiratory health, and demographic data on wild chimpanzees from four chimpanzee communities in Uganda and Tanzania, I tested several hypotheses on maintenance of genetic and phenotypic diversity in an immune gene with a functional role in recognition and elimination of viral pathogens in vertebrates. I was primary on this project with generous support from Dr. Emily Wroblewski, Dr. Peter Parham, Kibale Chimpanzee Project, and Jane Goodall Institute.
Patr-DRB Diversity and Gastrointestinal Parasite Infection in Wild Chimpanzees
Data collected on a second immune gene in wild chimpanzees of Kibale National Park, Uganda, this time a gene associated with susceptibility, resistance, and tolerance to macroparasite infection (helminths and protozoans), is currently being analyzed and chimpanzee genotypes diagnosed to examine immune gene diversity in concert with parasite surveys from the same community of chimpanzees. This project is being led by me with current and past support from Dr. Emily Wroblewski, Dr. Peter Parham, Kibale Chimpanzee Project, and students at University of Wisconsin – Madison who assisted parasite microscopy.
Student, Peer, & Field Support
I work on large projects that often involve a lot of moving parts and would be impossible without many hands contributing to their success. I have been blessed with incredible support from undergraduate, graduate, and professional student mentees that have enriched my projects with contributions to parasitology, viral genetics & genomics, and computational biology tasks, and peers and P.I.s who helped build longterm datasets on chimpanzee respiratory health, demography, endocrinology, and behavior.
All work involving wild chimpanzees would be impossible without dedicated, full-time field staff and scientists who attend the welfare of chimpanzee communities and collect biological and observational data 365 days of the year. Please visit my field sites page to learn more about how you can support field staff, the chimpanzees, and research sites.
Past Research
Analysis of global gene identity reveals a history of serial founder effects and admixture with archaic humans (2009-2014)
Landscape genetics of Schistosoma mansoni and it’s invertebrate snail host, Biomphalaria glabrata (2002-2004)
Phylogenetics of lymnaeid snails with emphasis on the evolution of susceptibility to Fascioloides magna infection (2000-2002)
Effects of Aquashade™ and CuSO4 on growth and reproduction of Biomphalaria glabrata snails (1999-2000)
Sarah Renee Phillips, Ph.D. 