Thomas Raffel

Thomas Raffel serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Oakland University, where he maintains laboratory facilities in Dodge Hall Rooms 355-357 and teaches courses including Medical Parasitology (BIO 4320/4321/5320) and Ecological Problem Solving (BIO 4380/4381/5900).

Dr. Raffel's research program focuses on the ecology and evolution of parasite-host interactions, with particular emphasis on amphibian systems and their global conservation implications. His laboratory investigates how parasites influence host ecology and evolution, and how environmental factors affect parasite dynamics. Key research areas include:

• Thermal Biology of Parasitism - examining how temperature variability affects parasitism in ectothermic hosts
• Host Life History Evolution - studying parasite effects on host reproductive strategies
• Aquatic Ecotoxicology - analyzing how pollutants alter snail-borne parasite dynamics
• Acquired Resistance - investigating vertebrate immune responses to repeated parasite exposure
• Host Resistance vs. Tolerance - comparing different defense mechanisms against parasites

Analysis of Dr. Raffel's recent publications reveals a strong focus on disease ecology spanning multiple host systems (amphibians, insects, and humans), with particular attention to environmental drivers of disease dynamics. His work frequently examines temperature effects on host-parasite interactions across diverse systems, from amphibians facing chytrid fungus to bumblebees combating gut parasites. Several publications demonstrate collaborative research addressing public health concerns related to waterborne parasites like schistosomiasis.

Dr. Raffel actively mentors undergraduate and graduate students, as evidenced by Oakland University student co-authors (marked with asterisks) on multiple publications. His laboratory maintains an active presence through the Raffel Lab Disease Ecology website and merchandise store, with proceeds supporting children's hospitals in the Detroit area.