Stephen Rich

Stephen Rich is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His research focuses on zoonotic diseases, particularly vector-borne illnesses like Lyme disease and malaria. He integrates molecular evolution, population genetics, and field ecology through a multidisciplinary approach he terms "Medical Zoology."

• Current research includes passive tick surveillance and plant-based antimalarial therapies
• Studies ecological and evolutionary mechanisms of pathogen adaptation
• Conducts fieldwork from Massachusetts to Africa

Recent publications highlight his lab's work on tick repellents, pathogen detection methods, and understanding the spread of tick-borne diseases. His multidisciplinary strategy bridges molecular biology, ecology, and public health interventions.

Professor Rich holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Irvine, and maintains active collaborations in both basic and applied infectious disease research.