B.Sc., (Hons.) University of GuelphPh.D., University of AlbertaProfessor, Department of Biology, Saint Mary's University
susan.bjornson@smu.ca
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As an invertebrate pathologist, my research program focuses on pathogens that cause chronic disease in beneficial insects and arthropods that are used for biological pest control. I am particularly interested in microsporidian pathogens, having studied them in predatory mites, lady beetles and lacewings. Recently classified as fungi, microsporidia are spore-forming pathogens that often cause sub-lethal effects and reduce host fitness.
Current and past research projects include the ultrastructure and pathology of entomopathogenic microsporidia, host-pathogen and host-parasitoid-pathogen interactions, host specificity of microsporidia, the effects of microsporidia on host fitness, and epizootiology of insect diseases.
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