Giacomo Zilio

Post Doc

Research Area
I am interested in the evolutionary ecology of host-parasite interactions. My research focus on the ecological and epidemiological conditions affecting the evolution of parasite virulence and mode of transmission.
Current Research      
Spatial structure has a critical role in shaping the evolutionary dynamics of infectious diseases. Therefore, highlighting the influence of the environmental structure on parasitic interactions is crucial to provide appropriate disease control strategies. The spatial context is all the more important in the light of human activities leading to landscape modifications and fragmentations. Using an experimental evolution approach with laboratory microcosms, the project aims to study the eco-evolutionary feedbacks between host dispersal and parasite virulence to assess whether parasite evolution matters for global spread of epidemics in a spatially structured scenario.

ShortCV
-2019-present:
Post Doc in Experimental Evolution of Communities with Oliver Kaltz  (ISEM Montpellier, France)
-2013-2018:
PhD in Ecology and Epidemiology of Parasites with Jacob C. Koella (University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland)
-2011-2013:
MSc in Evolutionary Biology (University of Padua, Italy-Imperial College London, UK)
-2008-2011:
BSc in Biology (University of Padua)

Publications
Zilio, G., Moesch, L., Bovet, N., Sarr, A. & Koella, J.C. (2018). The effect of parasite infection on the recombination rate of the mosquitoAedes aegyti.PLoS One, 13(10): e0203481.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203481

Zilio, G., Thiévent, K., Koella, J.C. (2018). Host genotype and environment affect the trade-off between horizontal and vertical transmission of the parasiteEdhazardia aedis.BMC Evol Biol, 18, 59.
doi: 10.1186/s12862-018-1184-3