Susan Jarvi

Susan Jarvi is a Professor at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, holding joint appointments in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy) and Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science. She has served as Department Chair in both the Biology Department (2006-2009) and Pharmaceutical Sciences (2015-2016). Her research focuses on parasitic diseases impacting humans and wildlife, particularly Rat Lungworm Disease (Angiostrongylus cantonensis), avian malaria, and avian poxvirus.

Education:

• M.S. in Veterinary and Animal Sciences (Genetics), University of Massachusetts, Amherst
• Ph.D. in Biology, Northern Illinois University
• Postdoctoral Fellowships: Beckman Research Institute (CA) and Smithsonian Institution (Washington DC)

Research Interests:

• Pathogen ecology of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in Hawaii
• Avian malaria (Plasmodium relictum) in native Hawaiian bird populations
• Development of diagnostic tools and control strategies for parasitic infections
• Wildlife vaccine efficacy testing (e.g., West Nile virus in Nene)

Her work integrates molecular diagnostics, field ecology, and community education to address zoonotic and wildlife health challenges.

Grants & Funding:

• $50K Hawaii Community Foundation grant for protein diagnostic development
• $65.6K Hawaii Invasive Species Council grant for school garden pest management
• Ongoing state funding ($300K+/year since 2018) for Rat Lungworm research

Awards:

• 2014-2015 UH Hilo Excellence in Scholarly Creative Activities Award

Advising & Labs:

• Leads the Hawaii Island Rat Lungworm Working Group
• Runs the Jarvi Lab focusing on parasitology and conservation genetics
• Supervises research involving qPCR diagnostics and wildlife vaccination trials