Allison Neal

Allison Neal serves as an Associate Professor in the Biology Department within the College of Arts & Sciences at Norwich University. Her academic responsibilities include teaching undergraduate courses such as parasitology, microbiology, ecology, evolution, genetics, and introductory biology. Dr. Neal's research program investigates the ecology and evolution of parasites, with particular emphasis on trematode flatworms and lizard malaria parasites.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Vermont
• B.A. in Biology from the University of Vermont

Dr. Neal's research examines complex host-parasite interactions, especially within snail intermediate hosts for trematodes and in lizards for malaria parasites. She employs a multidisciplinary approach combining field collection of hosts and parasites, microscopic analysis, and population genetic techniques. Her work provides insights into how environmental factors like drought affect parasite transmission and diversity. She actively involves undergraduate students in her research, offering hands-on experience with cutting-edge methodologies.

Recent publications reveal trends in understanding the impact of climate variability on parasite communities and the genetic structure of parasite populations across small spatial scales. Her studies on lizard malaria demonstrate how environmental stressors can reduce infection complexity, while research on sand flies illustrates fine-scale genetic differentiation.

Dr. Neal co-directs the Vermont Science Fair, fostering scientific engagement from K-12 through university levels. She has successfully secured substantial external funding, including a $2,000,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant for STEM workforce development and Vermont Biomedical Research Network (VBRN) awards totaling $260,000 for biomedical research projects.