Research Projects
Dr. Olea Popelka’s main area of interest is mycobacterial infections and tuberculosis (TB) at the intersection of livestock, wildlife species, and humans (zoonotic TB) at a global scale.
Current Projects:
- The study of factors relevant to the control of bovine and badger tuberculosis in Ireland, including wildlife ecology and vaccination of badgers against tuberculosis.
- Socio-economic factors impacting the health care access and among tuberculosis patients in rural Uganda.
- Evaluation of diagnostic approaches to identify Mycobacterium bovis as the causal agent of human tuberculosis, globally.
- Assessing the burden of zoonotic tuberculosis at a global scale.
- Evaluating the association of bovine and human tuberculosis in selected regions.
- Designing and implementing activities/projects towards accomplishing the short and long terms goals outlined in the Zoonotic Tuberculosis Roadmap.
- Evaluating tuberculosis in wildlife species in Africa, including elephants, lions, rhinoceroses, and warthogs.
Completed Projects:
- Epidemiology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in elephants under human care in the United States.
