Kristian Michael Forbes' lab focuses on understanding how bats behave and shed viruses, which may impact the risk of these viruses spilling over to humans and domestic animals. By studying bat populations in Kenya and Belize, the lab aims to uncover the interactions between bat behavior, ecology, and viral dynamics to inform public health strategies. Their work is crucial in preventing the emergence of infectious diseases like COVID-19 from bat populations.

Dr. Shilpa Iyer's lab at the University of Arkansas focuses on understanding mitochondrial disorders, particularly in children. The lab investigates how defects in mitochondrial DNA can lead to multiple organ failures through mechanisms such as oxidative stress and metabolic dysregulation. Their research aims to develop personalized therapies by studying the cellular and metabolic responses of affected tissues in pediatric patients.