Gregory Ruthig

Gregory Ruthig is a Professor of Biology at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. His research focuses on infectious disease ecology, particularly in amphibians, with a strong emphasis on emerging pathogens and their impacts on wildlife conservation.

Dr. Ruthig received his B.S. from Washington and Lee University in 1998 and completed his Ph.D. at the University of Virginia in 2006. His academic journey has positioned him as a specialist in the intersection of ecology, disease biology, and conservation.

Dr. Ruthig's research spans multiple scales, from field surveys to laboratory experiments and molecular genetics. He studies emerging pathogens of amphibians, including ranaviruses, water molds, and the amphibian chytrid fungus. His work provides valuable opportunities for undergraduate students to work on a system that encompasses zoology, ecology, medicine, disease biology, genetics, and conservation biology. His research has evolved to include broader ecological contexts, examining how environmental factors like temperature, spatial distribution, and anthropogenic influences such as road salt affect disease susceptibility in amphibian populations. More recently, his work has expanded to include human health topics, with publications on cholera in Africa and the Middle East and risks to pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Ruthig's scholarly impact is reflected in his publication record, with his 2009 paper on road deicing salt and amphibian embryo susceptibility being particularly influential in the field of disease ecology. His research demonstrates the complex interplay between environmental stressors and infectious disease dynamics in wildlife populations.

• Ph.D. in Biology, University of Virginia, 2006
• B.S. in Biology, Washington and Lee University, 1998

Dr. Ruthig actively mentors undergraduate researchers, with several publications co-authored with students marked with an asterisk in his publication record. His laboratory provides interdisciplinary research opportunities that bridge multiple biological disciplines. He teaches a diverse range of courses including Biological Investigations, Evolution, Field Biology, Animal Biology, Infectious Disease, Epidemiology, and Environmental Science, reflecting the breadth of his expertise and interests.