Ticks in the Urban Landscape

My research examines how urbanization influences human exposure to ticks and the pathogens they carry, with a particular focus on urban green spaces where people frequently engage in outdoor activities. I explore the ecological and social factors that shape the presence of ticks and the risk of infection across diverse urban environments. Using a combination of field sampling, pathogen screening, and spatial analysis, I investigate how patterns of urban development and everyday human behavior contribute to the distribution and the risk of tick-borne infections.

Ongoing Research Projects

• Risk of tick-Borne infections in urban areas of the Baltic Sea region
  This project investigates tick exposure in urban environments across Estonia, Latvia, and the Åland Islands through field sampling and interviews, aiming to understand regional differences in risk of tick-borne infections.
• Ticks and Public Health (Formas)
  In this project, we examine infection risks in green spaces located in neighborhoods with varying social and economic conditions, investigating how urban inequality may influence exposure to tick-borne infections.
• OneTick (Horizon Europe)

This project aims to enhance our understanding and management of tick-borne diseases in urban and peri-urban environment by integrating ecological, biomedical, and public health perspectives. We will address the interconnected health of humans, animals, and the environment by employing a One Health approach.