Biting Into the Future: Lone Star Tick Emergence and Alpha-Gal Syndrome Risk in New England
Major
Biological Sciences
Minor(s)
Data Science
Advisor
Thomas Mather
Advisor Department
Plant Sciences and Entomology
Date
4-2025
Keywords
Lone Star Tick Expansion, Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS), Public Health Awareness, Tick Surveillance (TickSpotters), Rhode Island (URI), Environmental Health
Abstract
As the geographic range of the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) expands into southern New England, so do public health threats—most notably, the growing incidence of Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS), a curious tick-bite-induced allergic reaction to mammalian meat. This project investigates the ecological emergence of the lone star tick and public awareness of associated health risks. I first conducted a literature review to identify gaps in AGS epidemiology and awareness. Using data from URI’s TickSpotters, a crowdsourced tick surveillance platform, I created visual analyses to highlight and compare the evolving distribution of this tick in various Northeastern U.S. regions. I designed and distributed an awareness survey to encourage people to share their “tick stories.” I recruited Honors students to help gather awareness data from the public during an Earth Day outreach event. I created content for a new AGS awareness page on URI’s TickEncounter website and designed a promotional water bottle sticker with a QR code linking to the page. To support my webpage needs assessment, I met with public health advocates, including the founders of TwoAlphaGals, an advocacy resource. I held weekly team meetings, including my sponsor, to stay aligned with goals. Working with TickSpotters data, CDC resources, surveys, and web content enhanced my research abilities, data literacy, and public communication—core competencies in public health aligned with my future aspiration to attend Physician Assistant school. This project prepared me for advanced academic programs or clinical work where patient health and environmental impacts intersect.