I am interested in the mechanisms driving host-parasite interactions and evolution, especially in the contexts of global climate change and co-infecting parasites.
Publications
Will I., Attardo G.M., & de Bekker C. 2023. Metabolomic characterization of behaviorally manipulated ants with multiomic data integration. Scientific Reports, in press.
Will I., Beckerson W.C., & de Bekker C. 2023. Using machine learning to predict protein-protein interactions between a zombie ant fungus and its carpenter ant host. Scientific Reports 13(13821).
Will I.*, Linehan S.*, Jenkins D. G., & de Bekker C. 2022. Natural history trends and environmental effects on the fate of Florida carpenter ant cadavers manipulated by the parasitic manipulator Ophiocordyceps camponoti-floridani. Functional Ecology 37, 886-899.
Will I., Das B., Trinh T., Brachmann A., Ohm R. A., & de Bekker C. 2020. Genetic underpinnings of host manipulation by Ophiocordyceps as revealed by comparative transcriptomics. G3 10(7), 2275-2296.
de Bekker C., Will I., Das B., & Adams R.M.M. The Formicidae and their parasites: effects of parasitic manipulations and host responses on ant behavioral ecology. Myrmecological News 28, 1-24.
de Bekker C., Will I., Hughes D., Brachmann A., & Merrow M. 2017. Daily rhythm and enrichment patterns in the transcriptome of the behavior manipulating parasite Ophiocordyceps kimflemingiae. PLOS One 12(11).
Education
2022 PhD University of Central Florida
2015 MSc Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität
2009 BA University of California – Berkeley
Awards
2023 Poster Award, European Conference on Fungal Genetics
2019 Byrd-Dunn Research Award, SE Society of Parasitologists
2019 Robert Lichtwardt Award, Mycological Society of America
2019 Poster Award, Genetics Society of America
2017 ORC Doctoral Fellowship, University of Central Florida
