Sarah OLSON

Sarah Olson joined WCS Global in 2011 and is currently the Director of Health Research for the Health Program. She received a joint PhD in Population Health and Environment & Resources from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and studied how deforestation and climate affect malaria incidence in the Amazon. Based in Bozeman, Montana, she provides leadership and research support to field veterinarians and conservation staff around the world. Trained in environmental research and public health, her research at WCS has focused on front-line wildlife conservation and One Health challenges, including the wildlife trade and emerging infectious diseases, Ebola virus in great apes and bats, avian influenza in wild birds, and white-nose syndrome in North American bats. She is currently focused on understanding and mitigating wildlife health and zoonotic disease threats, often associated with anthropogenic drivers, and helping grow sustainable and effective wildlife health surveillance systems.