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Postdoctoral Associate

December 2024: Postdoctoral Research Associate- Canine Chagas Disease.

A Postdoctoral Research Associate position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Sarah Hamer at Texas A&M University (TAMU) in the Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will advance research programs on canine Chagas disease, including new studies of treatment, diagnostics and epidemiology that have recently been funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Homeland Security. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will work collaboratively with additional investigators at TAMU (Dr. Ashley Saunders) and University of Georgia (Dr. Rick Tarleton).

The protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi causes Chagas disease in humans and other mammals. The parasite is transmitted by triatomine insects (kissing bugs) across Latin America and the southern United States. Building from our studies of canine and wildlife disease ecology and epidemiology, vector interventions, and diagnostic advances, we are excited to study therapeutic approaches to benefit both veterinary and human health.

Our NIH-funded project aims to understand how the timing of detection and treatment of T. cruzi relates to treatment outcomes and the degree of heart damage. We will also study if parasitological cure provides lasting immunity to reinfection and disease. Given dogs develop very similar patterns of immune control, disease development, and response to therapy as humans, we will study naturally-infected dogs as models in this work. These dogs will largely live in multi-dog kennels in Texas, including dogs at hunting ranches.

Our DHS-funded project aims to protect the operational capacity of the government working dogs (including dogs that provide security force in Customs and Border Protection along the borders, Transportation Security Administration in the airports and more) by studying their exposure to the Chagas parasite and clinical outcomes. We will conduct new epidemiological investigations to measure prevalence and risk factors, and design studies to mitigate disease threats with approaches including screening, treatment, vector control and more. The DHS-funded work will be managed by the Cross-Border Threat Screening and Supply Chain Defense (CBTS), a U.S. Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence led by Texas A&M University.

Both projects will involve field sampling of dogs, advanced parasitological, immunological, molecular diagnostics in a BSL-2 laboratory environment combined with clinical assessments focused on the heart. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will provide project management, coordinate field sampling with dog managers/local veterinarians, collect data, analyze and disseminate data, and mentor students. The position involves travel to dog kennels, ranches, and border checkpoints and ports of entry along the US-Mexico border.

Required qualifications include a PhD in epidemiology, biomedical sciences or a related field or a DVM (or equivalent) degree. Start date is flexible, ideally February 1, 2025, for two years, subject to annual re-appointment. Experience in canine restraint and blood collection; managing large projects; and a strong publication record is required.

Interested candidates should send an email and CV to Dr. Sarah Hamer, shamer@cvm.tamu.edu.

I am happy to chat with you about opportunities for joining the lab as a volunteer, undergraduate researcher, graduate student, postdoctoral associate, or other position. Please learn about the work we do and contact me with your interests. Please include your CV and why you think you’d make a great addition to our lab.

The representation of certain groups of people in science differs from their representation in the population at large. Our lab welcomes everyone regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Our program provides learning opportunities to all participants.

Graduate Students

The degrees that can be earned by my students include the following:

I encourage prospective PhD students to apply for graduate fellowships (for example, NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program– deadline in November).  Texas A&M keeps a list of externally-funded graduate fellowships and faculty-nominated fellowships, which may be useful as you plan ahead.  TAMU awards Merit Fellowships (applications due in Jan and Feb, respectively) for PhD students who will begin in Fall.  The College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences offers Merit Fellowships on a rolling basis for stellar applicants.

Undergraduate Students

Students with the right background, ambitions, and availability may start by volunteering in the lab to learn more about our research and gain some hands-on experiences.  I encourage undergraduates to explore options for enrolling in Research Credit (e.g. 285 or 485), and we can carry out a project over the course of a semester or summer.  The Undergraduate Research Scholars program at TAMU is a two-semester experience that culminates in a written thesis or other project, and I encourage undergraduates to work with me to develop a proposal for this program.

Veterinary, Medical, and Public Health Students

Professional students seeking to supplement their courses or clerkships with research/practicum experiences in the lab and/or field should feel free to contact me.  I am involved as a mentor for the Veterinary Medical Student Research Training Program.