معرفی
Dr. Rebecca Symula is an Instructional Associate Professor of Biology at The University of Mississippi. She coordinates and teaches the Introductory Biology lecture series. Her research focuses on evolutionary biology, phylogenetics, and microbial interactions in tsetse flies (Glossina species), with particular emphasis on symbionts like Wolbachia and pathogens like trypanosomes. Dr. Symula holds a Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior from the University of Texas at Austin (2009).
Her research examines host-pathogen symbiont dynamics, including coinfection patterns of Wolbachia, trypanosomes, and salivary gland hypertrophy virus (SGHV) in Ugandan tsetse populations. Recent work (2012) highlights complex coinfection dynamics linked to host genetic structure and epidemiological implications for African trypanosomiasis control.
Dr. Symula’s publications span frog phylogeography (Crinia signifera, Dendrobates spp.) and microbial ecology in vectors. She has published in journals like Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, and mBio. Her work integrates molecular techniques, population genetics, and ecological modeling to understand speciation mechanisms and disease vector biology.
Teaching responsibilities include Biological Sciences I (BISC 160) and II (BISC 162), foundational courses for biology majors. Office located in 202 Shoemaker Hall.
