His research focuses on the ecology of diseases in birds. For example, he studies how deforestation affects the prevalence and diversity of avian malaria in African rainforest birds. More recently he has begun studying how global climate change may affect the spread of avian malaria in Alaska. With a PhD in cell biology from UCSF, he takes advantage of current advances in molecular biology to address large questions in disease emergence. Since an early age, he was fascinated and saddened by the extinction of species, from dinosaurs to dodos. Through research and teaching he strives to make an impact in conservation biology. He is a vegan activist, and also an accomplished musician, playing bassoon and piano.