Evolutionary Epidemiology

A central focus of Dr. Walter’s research is evolutionary epidemiology, particularly focusing on Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Her work involves optimizing and standardizing methods for identifying genomic variants, which are crucial for reconstructing tuberculosis transmission pathways. By advancing these methods, Dr. Walter provides vital insights into how tuberculosis spreads and how it can be controlled. Her research is pivotal in improving public health strategies by offering a better understanding of pathogen dynamics within populations. She investigates within-host pathogen diversity using advanced techniques like deep sequencing and hybrid capture tools. Dr. Walter’s research in this area provides key insights into how pathogens adapt and spread, informing strategies to combat infections more effectively.

An emerging theme in Dr. Keegan’s research program complements this by  combining genomic and epidemiological data to determine who infected whom, particularly in the context of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in healthcare settings. She employs innovative methods to identify infection pathways, providing critical insights into how these pathogens spread within high-risk environments like healthcare facilities.