About

Michael P. Ward, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois. He earned his Ph.D. at the University of Illinois in 2004, following an M.S. from the same institution in 2000, and a B.S. from Truman State University in 1995. Dr. Ward leads the Ward Laboratory, which focuses on avian biology, migration research, bird movement, and population trends and monitoring. His lab manages extensive research projects including the Illinois Motus Network, which involves tracking bird movements through a network of Motus stations across Illinois, Wisconsin, Texas, and Mexico. The lab's research encompasses diverse topics such as the restoration of endangered waterbird colonies, quantifying bird populations, and analyzing migration behavior of species like the northern saw-whet owl and Eastern Whip-poor-wills. Dr. Ward's work integrates field surveys, data collection, and advanced tracking technologies to better understand the ecology and conservation of migratory birds. Through his mentorship, he advises graduate students and researchers investigating various aspects of avian ecology, including habitat use, migration routes, diet, and the effects of forest management on bird species. His research contributes to applied conservation strategies aimed at sustaining bird populations and their habitats across North America and Central America.

Research topics

• Virology
• Medicine
• Biology
• Geography
• Internal medicine
• Statistics
• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Veterinary medicine
• Environmental science
• Mathematics
• Meteorology
• Atmospheric sciences
• Demography

Selected publications

• The TREM2 agonistic antibody AL002 in early Alzheimer’s disease: a phase 2 randomized trial

  Nature Medicine · 2026-03-05 · 2 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Retrospective screening reveals the rare occurrence of zoonotic <i>Strongyloides stercoralis</i> in dogs from temperate Australia, 2014–2024

  Parasitology · 2026-02-09

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal nematode capable of infecting humans and dogs. Occurrence in dogs from temperate, traditionally non-endemic regions remains poorly characterized, often due to the absence of accessible veterinary diagnostic tests. Recent reports of infections from temperate metropolitan areas have raised concerns about the extent of S. stercoralis prevalence in dogs in these regions. This study investigated the presence of S. stercoralis DNA in canine faecal samples from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, using a real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) targeting the 18S rRNA gene, with a limit of detection of 2 DNA copies. Archived faecal DNA ( n = 448) collected between 2014 and 2024 from 2 university veterinary hospitals were screened. Of all samples, 1 (0.02%) was positive for S. stercoralis DNA, corresponding to approximately 6.8 × 10 3 18S rDNA copies, equivalent to 3.2 of S. ratti third-stage larvae, per 250 mg of dog faeces. Partial cox1 and 18S rDNA loci (HVR-I and HVR-IV) deep amplicon sequencing confirmed that S. stercoralis circulates between dogs and humans. The positive sample originated from a Border Collie puppy presenting with gastrointestinal signs. Although detection was rare, this confirms the parasite’s presence in companion dogs within a temperate urban environment. The results highlight the diagnostic utility of 18S rDNA-based qPCR for retrospective surveillance and support the inclusion of S. stercoralis in molecular diagnostic panels for dogs with gastrointestinal disease. Expanded, targeted molecular and coproscopic surveillance is warranted to clarify the prevalence, distribution and zoonotic potential of S. stercoralis in dogs across Australia’s non-endemic regions.

  PublisherDOI

• A contemporary map of <i>Fasciola hepatica</i> distribution in sheep and cattle in New South Wales

  Australian Veterinary Journal · 2025-06-18

  articleOpen access

  Fasciola hepatica is a global threat to livestock production, human health, and food security. Infection causes significant reductions in milk production and quality, feed conversion efficiency, wool quality, and reproductive performance. In New South Wales (NSW), Australia, data on the distribution of F. hepatica are more than 50 years out of date and lack species-specific insights for cattle and sheep. Accurate, up-to-date distribution data are essential for livestock producers to implement targeted control programs, for veterinarians to provide timely and effective treatment recommendations, and for researchers to identify emerging trends, such as those influenced by climate change. This study addresses this knowledge gap by using diagnostic samples submitted to the Elizabeth MacArthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI) between 2019 and 2023 to update the distribution of F. hepatica in cattle and sheep in NSW. Diagnostic records were extracted, cleaned, analysed, and geospatially mapped at the postcode level to reveal temporal and spatial trends by livestock species. Our findings suggest that F. hepatica hotspots in sheep are concentrated in the southeastern regions of NSW, whereas in cattle, hotspots extend along the coast. These results reinforce the existing dogma of F. hepatica distribution in NSW, providing evidence-based insights that are key to improved surveillance, refining precision parasite management, and mitigating the ongoing impacts of F. hepatica on animal health and production in NSW.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• A spatial clustering-based approach to design monitoring networks of infectious diseases: a case study of hand, foot, and mouth disease

  Infectious Diseases of Poverty · 2025-07-28 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Effective monitoring of infectious diseases is crucial for safeguarding public health. Compared to comprehensive nationwide surveillance, selecting representative sample cities to constitute the monitoring network for surveillance provides similar effectiveness at a lower cost. We developed Spatial Cluster Stratified Sampling (SCSS) to select sample cities for infectious diseases exhibiting spatial autocorrelation. METHODS: To improve monitoring efficiency for hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), we used SCSS to design a monitoring network, which involved four main steps. First, we used Spatial Kluster Analysis by Tree Edge Removal (SKATER) to stratify the data. Second, we applied the cost-benefit balance to determine the optimal sample size. Third, we performed simple random sampling within each stratum to establish an initial monitoring network. Fourth, we used cyclic optimization to finalize the monitoring network. We evaluated the spatiotemporal representativeness using root mean square error (RMSE), Spearman's rank correlation, global Moran's I, local Getis-Ord G*, and Joinpoint Regression. We also compared the effectiveness of SCSS with K-means, traditional stratified sampling, and simple random sampling using RMSE. RESULTS: The optimal sample size was determined to be 103. Overall, the predicted values for each city significantly correlated with the true values (r = 0.81, P < 0.001). Both the predicted and true values showed positive spatial autocorrelation (Moran's I > 0, P < 0.05), and the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the predicted local Getis-Ord G* values, evaluated against the true values as the gold standard, were 0.76, 0.91, and 0.87, respectively. The weekly predicted values for each city showed significant correlation with the true values (P < 0.05). The 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the predicted values of joinpoint locations, annual percent change (APC), and average annual percent change (AAPC) encompassed the true values, and the number of joinpoints matched the true values. Among the four methods compared, SCSS exhibited the lowest and most centralized RMSE. CONCLUSIONS: SCSS proved to be more accurate and stable than traditional methods, which overlook spatial information. This method offers a valuable reference for future design of monitoring networks for infectious diseases exhibiting spatial autocorrelation, enabling more efficient and cost-effective surveillance.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• A comparison of risk factors for canine leptospirosis and seropositivity in New South Wales, Australia

  Australian Veterinary Journal · 2025-01-12 · 5 citations

  articleSenior author

  This study aimed to identify and compare risk factors associated with canine leptospirosis and Leptospira seropositivity in New South Wales, Australia. Seventy-nine canine cases of confirmed leptospirosis (clinical cases) and 16 healthy dogs seropositive to Leptospira (seropositive cases) were included in the study; these were separately compared to 394 healthy dogs seronegative to Leptospira (controls) in at-risk areas. A questionnaire investigated rat contact, stagnant water, dog park access and household number of dogs and cats. Associations between these factors, signalment and risk of leptospirosis or Leptospira seropositivity were screened using Pearson Chi-Square test and logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios of association. Significantly associated with both leptospirosis risk and seropositivity risk was rat contact (P < 0.01) which increased the risk 4.3- and 4.5-fold, respectively. Other factors significantly associated with leptospirosis risk were breed (P < 0.01) and age (P < 0.01). Being a herding dog or Terrier increased leptospirosis risk 27.2-fold and 8-fold, respectively and being a young adult dog increased leptospirosis risk 3.9-fold. Frequenting dog parks decreased leptospirosis risk (OR 0.12). In contrast, no other significant risk factors were identified for seropositivity risk. Exposure to Leptospira through contact with reservoir hosts resulted in seropositivity as well as clinical leptospirosis. However, host factors like breed and age seem to be important factors in determining if exposure results in clinical disease. Increased urbanisation and landscape fragmentation could result in increased exposure to reservoir hosts. Environmental sampling is needed to identify sources of infection. Risk mitigation includes reducing contact with reservoir hosts and contaminated environments and increased pest control.

  PublisherDOI

• Infection and host-feeding patterns of West Nile virus vectors varies by urban greenspace composition

  The Science of The Total Environment · 2025-12-01

  articleOpen access

  Greenspaces are integral to the urban environment, enhancing climate resilience and providing several additional environmental, social and public health benefits, yet the extent to which they affect vector-borne disease transmission is not clear. We explored this question in the context of mosquito and West Nile virus (WNV) host populations, infection rates and foraging behavior. We collected mosquitoes from greenspaces along a transect spanning a range of urban development. Mosquitoes were tested for West Nile virus and the host species that were fed on determined for blood-fed specimens. Bird counts and camera traps were used to assess avian and mammal species availability. We explored landcover associations with vector abundance, vector infection prevalence, host-feeding patterns and host community composition. Different components that contribute to WNV transmission intensity responded to different landcover variables. Abundance of Culex mosquitoes was most strongly tied to impervious surface, while prevalence of WNV infection was positively associated with increasing amounts of turf grass, but not through an indirect effect of vapor pressure deficit. The amount of turf was itself correlated with a measure of avian community reservoir competence. Blood meal analysis suggested the majority of blood meals in Cx. pipiens and Cx. restuans came from American robins and northern cardinals. This work provides novel insights into how reliance on managed turf grass for urban landscaping may have adverse consequences for WNV transmission risk and furthers our understanding of how the design of urban greenspaces could benefit from consideration of vector-host-virus interactions.

  PublisherDOI

• Vaccination with monovalent Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni and its implication for the diagnosis of natural infection in dogs

  Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases · 2025-10-22 · 1 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• The role of wild birds in transmitting highly pathogenic avian influenza in Denmark: An exploration using a spatiotemporal model

  Ecological Modelling · 2025-01-13 · 6 citations

  articleOpen access

  • A new mechanistic model is constructed explicitly for understanding the spatiotemporal transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza at the country level. • The model functions as a decision-making tool with flexibility in the simulation of various scenarios. • According to the model, carcass removal is a potential control strategy to mitigate disease transmission. We developed a stochastic spatiotemporal simulation model, DanHPAIwild, to explore the transmission dynamics of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild bird populations and generate a time-dependent risk map in Denmark. Denmark and its near-coast waters were rasterised into 10 × 10 km cells. Weekly changes in abundance of five waterbird species over an epidemiological year (October to September) were estimated by adjusting missing reports and then comparing the estimates with raw population numbers. The model consisted of two parts: bird abundance and environmental transmission. Dynamics of bird abundance were modelled using voluntarily reported weekly bird counts, published literature, and expert opinion on bird ecology. Environmental transmission simulated HPAI virus (HPAIV) exposure via consumption of contaminated water, together with viral shedding in the rasterised cells. We calibrated and initialised the model with passive surveillance data from the 2020/21 season, refining inputs to minimise deviations between simulated and observed outcomes. Sensitivity analyses revealed that variations in the median infection dose and peak time of contacts notably influencing the simulated bird mortality. The model also examined removing infectious dead birds as a potential control strategy, showing that removing 50 % reduced the annual HPAIV mortality by 38 % compared to implementing no interventions. The model reflects well the real-life spatiotemporal patterns, highlighting high-risk areas close to coastline and water areas. These findings offer valuable insights into HPAIV dynamics in wild birds in Denmark and can aid resource allocation for interventions and surveillance.

  PublisherDOI

• Multicentric Survey on Learning Styles Between Members of the Veterinary Field

  Journal of Veterinary Medical Education · 2025-06-30 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  Teaching medical sciences is a continuously evolving process that requires an ongoing update for both students and teachers. Several methods are used to measure learning styles, among which the Visual, Auditory, Read/Write, Kinesthetic (VARK) framework focuses on how learners prefer to obtain information. With this study, we aimed to assess the VARK learning style on a large sample of veterinary students and educators in an aged-variety, multi-lingual, and multi-institutional setting. We obtained a total of 873 replies to our survey: 78.7% students, 6.6% veterinarians, 5.9% people with another occupation inherent to veterinary medicine, 5.7% European or American board-certified specialists, 1.1% veterinary nurses, 0.9% veterinary interns, and 0.9% veterinary residents of different specialties. The replies were obtained from French (56%), English (31.7%), Italian (11.5%), and Spanish (0.8%) versions of the survey. Most respondents (52.6%) were unimodal learners, while 47.4% exhibited two or more learning styles. Baby Boomers and Millennials were significantly less likely to use the visual and the aural style, respectively, compared with Generation Z. Moreover, Baby Boomers were approximately 54.2% less likely to be multimodal learners than Generation Z (χ 2 = 4.291, p = .038). According to our results, the current veterinary student population is comprised of multimodal learners highly adapted to learn visually and by listening, although there are some differences between countries. An initial assessment with the VARK survey at the beginning of the course may help teachers to study their specific population. Finally, here we collect some specific recommendations to follow based on the country where students are enrolled.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Correction: Changing epidemiology of leptospirosis in China from 1955 to 2022

  Infectious Diseases of Poverty · 2025-07-10

  erratumOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Ravinay Bhindi

  Royal North Shore Hospital

  103 shared

• Victoria Brookes

  University of Sydney

  101 shared

• U. Allahwala

  University of Sydney

  77 shared

• Steve Shellman

  Strategic Analysis Enterprises (United States)

  52 shared

• Navneet K. Dhand

  University of Sydney

  50 shared

• Jennifer Lautenschlager

  Lockheed Martin (United States)

  49 shared

• Elizabeth Boschee

  Southern States University

  49 shared

• James Starz

  Lockheed Martin (Canada)

  49 shared

Labs

• Ward LaboratoryPI