About the talk

This talk revisits the hypothesis that biodiversity can reduce infectious disease risk (the “dilution effect”), combining ecological theory with empirical data from desert rodent–bacteria systems. I explore how host community composition and species identity affect pathogen transmission and local adaptation. The work draws on experimental and field-based approaches in disease ecology and evolutionary biology. Beyond the ecological mechanisms, the talk opens a broader reflection on the role of ideology, communication ethics, and scientific responsibility in shaping how biodiversity–disease links are framed and applied in conservation and health policies.

About the speaker

Mario Garrido Escudero is a biologist specializing in parasitic ecology and infectious diseases in wildlife. His research explores the interplay between biodiversity and disease risk, with a particular focus on the dilution effect, host–pathogen coevolution, and local adaptation of pathogens. His work is grounded in the One Health approach, which highlights the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health, especially in the context of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs), most of which are zoonotic in origin. Throughout his career, Mario has combined multiple levels of analysis—from microbiome composition to host community structure—to better understand the complexity of host–parasite systems. While traditionally studied through simplified models (one host–one parasite), his work emphasizes the ecological reality of multi-host, multi-pathogen networks that operate under dynamic and human-altered environmental conditions.