Collaborative research: tracking pathogen sharing across a vampire BAT-cattle contact network

The National Science Foundation awarded the University of Tennessee $594,617 on October 15, 2025, under the Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074) to characterize contact networks and map pathogen-sharing dynamics between vampire bats and livestock using animal-borne proximity sensors, GPS loggers, and pathogen genetic sequencing. The project integrates animal tracking data, pathogen genomics, and mathematical modeling to predict cross-species transmission of zoonotic pathogens including rabies virus, coronaviruses, and bacterial and protozoan pathogens, with the goal of informing surveillance and control strategies for vampire-bat livestock conflict and emerging infectious disease prevention.

Performance runs through September 30, 2028, at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. The project includes mentoring trainees, strengthening scientific capacity in study areas, and community engagement through school programs and public outreach on infectious disease prevention.

The Smithsonian Institution, through its Tropical Research Institute in Panama, received a sub-award dated May 20, 2026, to support a postdoctoral researcher who will conduct field research activities including capture and marking of vampire bats, deployment and retrieval of proximity sensors and GPS loggers on bats and cattle, biological sample collection, metadata documentation, and coordination with collaborating institutions while ensuring compliance with NSF requirements, animal welfare protocols, and relevant regulatory approvals.

Abstract

Pathogens originating from wildlife pose an increasing threat to agriculture and public health. Yet, predicting when and how these pathogens spill over into domestic animals or humans remains a significant challenge. This is mainly due to limited knowledge about which reservoir hosts interact with potential recipient species, how long those interactions last, and which types of contact are most likely to result in pathogen transmission. Recent advancements in animal biologging and pathogen genetic sequencing are opening new opportunities to map contact networks and trace pathogen transmission across species. This research integrates animal tracking data, pathogen genomics, and mathematical modeling to better understand and predict cross-species transmission dynamics. The project focuses on blood-feeding vampire bats, key wildlife reservoirs for rabies virus, and the livestock upon which they feed. By analyzing interactions between these species, the project aims to identify patterns of contact and transmission that can inform more effective surveillance and control strategies. Given rising concerns over emerging zoonotic pathogens, the research is timely. IT not only advances methods to integrate diverse data streams to study spillover but also provides practical insights into managing vampire-BAT livestock conflict, an issue of growing concern. The research will also broaden participation by mentoring trainees, strengthening scientific capacity in our study areas, and engaging communities through school programs and public outreach on infectious disease prevention. This project aims to (1) characterize dynamic, multi-species contact networks between vampire bats and livestock using animal-borne proximity sensors; (2) map pathogen-sharing networks by analyzing genetic similarity among common viral, bacterial, and protozoan pathogens (e.g., coronaviruses and rabies virus, hemoplasmas, and trypanosomes); and (3) develop statistical and simulation models to identify likely transmission routes, understand epidemiological dynamics, and inform rabies virus control strategies. The outcomes will advance our fundamental understanding of pathogen spread in complex host communities. Additionally, our integrative approach, combining animal tracking with pathogen diagnostics, will offer a valuable framework for studying cross-species transmission in other systems. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.