NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biology: Understanding cetacean morbillivirus transmission in the Pacific basin

这一行动资助了NSF 2022财年生物学博士后研究奖学金，扩大了生物学中代表性不足的群体的参与。该研究金支持一项针对该研究员的研究和培训计划，该计划将增加生物学中代表性不足的群体的参与。这项研究的重点是一种致命的传染病病原体，鲸类麻疹病毒，它已经成为对海豚、鲸鱼和江豚的严重威胁，并在过去30年里成为世界各地鲸目动物种群严重爆发的原因。夏威夷的许多鲸目动物种群数量很少且为常住动物，这种感染的暴发可能对世界这一区域造成特别严重的破坏。关于这种病毒在海洋哺乳动物中的暴露和传播，人们知之甚少。这项研究旨在更好地了解鲸目动物麻疹病毒的暴露和传播，并将重点测试在夏威夷ʻI和阿拉斯加之间旅行的座头鲸以及居住在夏威夷ʻI的其他种类的海豚和鲸鱼。了解这种病毒在海洋动物中的暴露和传播将为制定减轻疾病的战略和帮助管理可能特别容易爆发疾病的夏威夷种群提供洞察力。这项研究的更广泛影响包括为人数不足的本科生提供机会进行科学研究和外联活动，这些活动将针对太平洋和大西洋地区的不同受众。气雾化作用被认为是鲸目动物传播鲸目麻疹病毒(CeMV)的主要途径。这项拟议的工作将使用血清学对20种搁浅的夏威夷鲸目动物的体液进行抗体测试，以评估接触率。该项目还将利用社交网络分析，利用20年来在夏威夷水域目击鲸目动物的数据来记录混合物种的相互作用。这将与暴露数据配对，以模拟CeMV在夏威夷鲸目动物种群中的传播。这名研究员将在外国实验室接受培训，并将获得一个全面的培训计划，其中包括新的实验室技术(例如病毒分离和血清学)、现场工作收集座头鲸呼出的呼气样本、通过社交网络分析建立暴露模型、课堂教学、对暑期实习本科生的指导，以及科学教育和外展中的交流。此外，获奖的太平洋地区电视连续剧《海洋之声》的一集将在太平洋盆地和加勒比海的波多黎各岛上创作和播出。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This action funds an NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology for FY 2022, Broadening Participation of Groups Underrepresented in Biology. The Fellowship supports a research and training plan for the Fellow that will increase the participation of groups underrepresented in biology. The focus of this study is on a deadly infectious agent, Cetacean morbillivirus, which has emerged as a serious threat to dolphins, whales, and porpoises and has been a cause of severe outbreaks in cetacean populations around the world in the last 30 years. Many of the cetacean populations in Hawai’i are small and resident and an outbreak from this infection could be especially devastating in this region of the world. Little is known about the exposure and transmission of this virus among marine mammals. This research seeks to better understand the exposure and transmission of Cetacean morbillivirus and will focus on the testing of humpback whales that travel between Hawaiʻi and Alaska and other species of dolphins and whales that are resident to Hawaiʻi. Understanding the exposure and transmission of this virus in marine animals will provide insights into designing strategies to mitigate disease and aid in the management of Hawaiian populations that may be especially vulnerable disease outbreaks. This research’s broader impact includes providing underrepresented undergraduate students the opportunity to perform scientific research and outreach activities that will target a diverse audience in both the Pacific and Atlantic regions. Aerosolization is thought to be the main route for Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) transmission in cetaceans. The proposed work will use serology to conduct antibody testing of fluids taken from 20 species of stranded Hawaiian cetaceans to assess exposure rates. The project will also utilize social networking analysis with data obtained from two decades of cetacean sightings in Hawaiian waters to document mixed-species interactions. This will be paired with exposure data to simulate CeMV spread among Hawai'i's cetacean populations. The fellow will be trained in a foreign laboratory and will have access to a comprehensive training program that includes new laboratory techniques (for example, virus isolation and serology), field-work collection efforts to sample humpback whale exhaled breath, modeling exposure through social networking analysis, classroom teaching, mentoring of summer intern undergraduate students, and communication in science education and outreach. Additionally, one episode of the award-winning Pacific regional TV series Voice of the Sea will be created and broadcast in the Pacific basin and on the island of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.