Our Focus
The Gass Lab, a joint venture between Tufts University’s School of Medicine and Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, is focused on exploring the intricate relationships between human, animal, and environmental health, particularly as they pertain to the ecology, emergence, and circulation of zoonoses worldwide. We are actively leading and supporting international research on the transmission dynamics of highly consequential zoonotic pathogens, such as avian influenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2, Lassa, and filoviruses (Ebola and Marburg viruses), with the intention to advance knowledge of and methods to detect, reduce risks of, and mitigate these pandemic threats. We aim to bridge gaps in both knowledge and practice to foster a safer, healthier world for all. The Gass Lab trains the next generation of One Health and Planetary Health professionals in molecular and infectious disease epidemiology, ecology, and virology.
Dr. Jonathon Gass, MPH, PhD
Principal Investigator, The Gass Lab
Co-Deputy Director, USAID STOP Spillover
Co-Lead, Global Health Science and Practice Concentration, Tufts MPH Program
Noah Yared
Graduate Student, Master of Public Health program
Works with USAID STOP Spillover team in Sierra Leone to analyze and disseminate risk reduction intervention data focused on wild meat markets and Ebola risks Email: Noah.Yared@tufts.edu
Jaelyn Peebles
Graduate Student, Master of Public Health program
Works with USAID STOP Spillover team in Sierra Leone to analyze social, behavioral, and community-level risk perception data on Lassa virus
Email: Jaelyn.Peebles@tufts.edu
Madeline Kenyon
Graduate Student, Master of Public Health program
Works with USAID STOP Spillover team in Cambodia to analyze the effectiveness of behavior change interventions that promote adoption of biosafety practices on bat guano farms to reduce zoonotic pathogen transmission to humans
Email: Madeline.Kenyon@tufts.edu
Marlina Som
Graduate Student, Master of Public Health Program
Works with USAID STOP Spillover team in Cambodia to evaluate seasonal detection of coronavirus at bat guano farms in Kampong Cham province, Cambodia
Email: Marlina.Som@tufts.edu
Former Gass Lab affiliates
Natalie Davis
Graduate Student, Master of Science in Conservation Medicine program
Studied biodiversity loss and Lassa Virus ecology in West Africa
Email: Natalie.Davis@tufts.edu
Owen Helms
Research Assistant and Graduate Student, Master of Public Health program
Supported Gass Lab efforts to develop a graduate-level course “Global One Health: How Intersections between Humans, Animals, and the Environment Shape Our Planet and the Future of Public Health”
Email: Daniel.Helms@tufts.edu