Anna Forsman

Dr. Anna Forsman is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Colby College, specializing in ecological immunology. She leads the Wild Symbioses Lab, focusing on how vertebrate immune systems function in natural environments, particularly in birds. Her research integrates immunology, microbiology, and life history theory to study host-microbe interactions, with study systems including purple martins, tree swallows, and Florida scrub jays.

Dr. Forsman teaches Immunology and Ornithology. Her work explores symbiotic relationships between animals and microorganisms, addressing questions about microbiome dynamics, disease ecology, and conservation genetics. She actively establishes field sites, such as tree swallow nest boxes, to study avian behavior and health in natural settings.

Her publications emphasize eco-immunological approaches, including DNA metabarcoding for diet analysis, microbial community impacts on host immunity, and population viability modeling. While no scientific awards are explicitly mentioned, her research contributes significantly to avian and marine conservation biology.

Dr. Forsman collaborates with students on field projects and lab work, emphasizing hands-on learning. The Wild Symbioses Lab’s interdisciplinary approach bridges microbiology, ecology, and evolutionary biology, aiming to understand symbiotic relationships in wild vertebrates.