Jamie Lloyd-Smith

Jamie Lloyd-Smith is a Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UCLA. His research focuses on understanding the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of infectious diseases, particularly zoonotic pathogens that jump from animals to humans. He develops mathematical, computational, and statistical models to integrate data across disciplines and scales, aiming to advance a holistic theory of pathogen emergence.

His lab investigates systems such as:

• Leptospirosis in California sea lions
• Monkeypox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Childhood immunity patterns to influenza viruses
• Cross-scale models of SARS-CoV-2 transmission
• Evolutionary emergence of novel pathogens

Key collaborations include partnerships with The Marine Mammal Center, NIH Rocky Mountain Laboratories, UCLA School of Public Health, and UC Davis. His work addresses superspreading, host heterogeneities, and cross-species transmission barriers.

The lab has trained graduate students and postdoctoral researchers like Amanda, Riley, Christian, Carlie, Lizzie, Dylan, and Oshi, with recent graduates moving to institutions such as UC Davis. Opportunities for prospective researchers emphasize quantitative skills in mathematical modeling, computational biology, and data analysis.