Workshop 2026 – Modeling Animal Aggregation to Inform Disease Risk: Tools and Applications
Modeling Animal Aggregation to Inform Disease Risk: Tools and Applications
Presenters: Will Janousek1*, Gavin Cotterill1, Tabitha Graves1
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, West Glacier, MT, USA.
Date: Tuesday February 24th, 9 AM – Noon
Cost: Professional $35, Student $15
Understanding how animal aggregation influences disease dynamics is essential for effective wildlife management. This workshop covers a suite of tools developed by USGS and partners that provide managers with flexible approaches to analyzing patterns and changes in aggregation. While the primary focus is on informing key components of chronic wasting disease (CWD) spread, these tools are applicable to other scenarios, such as human-wildlife conflict. The workshop will begin with a presentation by Dr. Janousek providing a conceptual overview of animal aggregation modeling, its relevance to disease ecology, and specific case study examples. This will be followed by approximately two hours of hands-on data exploration using common wildlife data types. Participants will engage with tools designed to analyze spatial and temporal patterns of animal behavior that may contribute to disease transmission. A working knowledge of program R (e.g., loading data, basic syntax) is recommended for full participation, though observers are welcome. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.