Marta Kołodziej-Sobocińska

For over 20 years, I have been conducting research on infectious diseases of mammals, with a primary focus on wildlife species. My research interests address diseases of wild mammals in a broad ecological context, including the impact of pathogens on mammal populations and the influence of wildlife management practices on disease dynamics and transmission in the environment.

A particular focus of my research is on carnivore communities, including wolves, lynx, badgers, raccoon dogs, and American mink. I also conduct research on herbivorous mammals, including European bison in the context of wildlife population management, as well as on rodents used as model animals in studies of behavioral manipulation associated with Toxoplasma infection.

My early research concentrated mainly on endoparasites; however, my current interests increasingly include ectoparasites (e.g. sarcoptic mange), vector-borne diseases transmitted by ticks, mosquitoes, and flies, as well as bacterial and viral infections.

I have extensive laboratory experience, including comprehensive necropsies of mammals ranging from small rodents and American mink to raccoon dogs, badgers, and large carnivores such as lynx and wolves. I also perform hematological and biochemical blood analyses, as well as serological testing (antibody and antigen detection) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods.

I led a research project investigating factors influencing the spread of the tapeworm Spirometra sp. in wild carnivore populations, which significantly contributed to expanding knowledge of this previously poorly recognized parasite in Europe.

My research also includes analyses of stress levels in wild animals.