Paul Cross, Ph.D.
My research focuses on applied wildlife disease, conservation and management issues around the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Research Interests
I try to integrate multiple different scientific fields, but my specific background is in field ecology, behavior and mathematical modeling. There are two central themes in my research: (1) the integration of empirical data and mathematical modeling, and (2) the effects of host behavior on disease dynamics. Currently, my research focuses on brucellosis, chronic wasting disease, canine distemper and sarcoptic mange.
Professional Experience
Research Wildlife Biologist, USGS, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, 2005-present.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Environmental Science, Policy, and Management. 2005. University of California, Berkeley
B.A. Environmental Science. 1998. University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Science and Products
Inferential consequences of modeling rather than measuring snow accumulation in studies of animal ecology
Taming wildlife disease: bridging the gap between science and management
Use of exposure history to identify patterns of immunity to pneumonia in bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis)
Underestimating the effects of spatial heterogeneity due to individual movement and spatial scale: infectious disease as an example
Microsatellites indicate minimal barriers to mule deer Odocoileus hemionus dispersal across Montana, USA
U.S. Geological Survey environmental health science strategy — Providing environmental health science for a changing world
An ecological perspective on the changing face of Brucella abortus in the western United States
Spatio-temporal dynamics of pneumonia in bighorn sheep
Wildlife contact analysis: Emerging methods, questions, and challenges
Climate change and infectious disease dynamics
USGS Environmental health science strategy: providing environmental health science for a changing world: Public review release
Parasite invasion following host reintroduction: a case of Yellowstone’s wolves
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Filter Total Items: 110
Inferential consequences of modeling rather than measuring snow accumulation in studies of animal ecology
Abstract. It is increasingly common for studies of animal ecology to use model-based predictions of environmental variables as explanatory or predictor variables, even though model prediction uncertainty is typically unknown. To demonstrate the potential for misleading inferences when model predictions with error are used in place of direct measurements, we compared snow water equivalent (SWE) andAuthorsPaul C. Cross, Robert W. Klaver, Angela Brennan, Scott Creel, Jon P. Beckmann, Megan D. Higgs, Brandon M. ScurlockTaming wildlife disease: bridging the gap between science and management
1.Parasites and pathogens of wildlife can threaten biodiversity, infect humans and domestic animals, and cause significant economic losses, providing incentives to manage wildlife diseases. Recent insights from disease ecology have helped transform our understanding of infectious disease dynamics and yielded new strategies to better manage wildlife diseases. Simultaneously, wildlife disease manageAuthorsMaxwell B. Joseph, Joseph R. Mihaljevic, Ana Lisette Arellano, Jordan G. Kueneman, Paul C. Cross, Pieter T.J. JohnsonUse of exposure history to identify patterns of immunity to pneumonia in bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis)
Individual host immune responses to infectious agents drive epidemic behavior and are therefore central to understanding and controlling infectious diseases. However, important features of individual immune responses, such as the strength and longevity of immunity, can be challenging to characterize, particularly if they cannot be replicated or controlled in captive environments. Our research on bAuthorsRaina K. Plowright, Kezia Manlove, E. Frances Cassirer, Thomas H. Besser, Peter J. HudsonUnderestimating the effects of spatial heterogeneity due to individual movement and spatial scale: infectious disease as an example
Many ecological and epidemiological studies occur in systems with mobile individuals and heterogeneous landscapes. Using a simulation model, we show that the accuracy of inferring an underlying biological process from observational data depends on movement and spatial scale of the analysis. As an example, we focused on estimating the relationship between host density and pathogen transmission. ObsAuthorsPaul C. Cross, Damien Caillaud, Dennis M. HeiseyMicrosatellites indicate minimal barriers to mule deer Odocoileus hemionus dispersal across Montana, USA
To better understand the future spread of chronic wasting disease, we conducted a genetic assessment of mule deer Odocoileus hemionus population structure across the state of Montana, USA. Individual based analyses were used to test for population structure in the absence of a priori designations of population membership across the sampling area. Samples from the states of Wyoming, Colorado and UtAuthorsJohn H. Powell, Steven T. Kalinowski, Megan D. Higgs, Michael R. Ebinger, Ninh V. Vu, Paul C. CrossU.S. Geological Survey environmental health science strategy — Providing environmental health science for a changing world
Executive SummaryAmerica has an abundance of natural resources. We have bountiful clean water, fertile soil, and unrivaled national parks, wildlife refuges, and public lands. These resources enrich our lives and preserve our health and wellbeing. These resources have been maintained because of our history of respect for their value and an enduring commitment to their vigilant protection. AwarenessAuthorsPatricia R. Bright, Herbert T. Buxton, Laurie S. Balistrieri, Larry B. Barber, Francis H. Chapelle, Paul C. Cross, David P. Krabbenhoft, Geoffrey S. Plumlee, Jonathan M. Sleeman, Donald E. Tillitt, Patricia L. Toccalino, James R. WintonAn ecological perspective on the changing face of Brucella abortus in the western United States
After a hiatus during the 1990s, outbreaks of Brucella abortus in cattle are occurring more frequently in some of the western states of the United States, namely, Montana, Wyoming and Idaho. This increase is coincident with increasing brucellosis seroprevalence in elk (Cervus elaphus), which is correlated with elk density. Vaccines are a seductive solution, but their use in wildlife systems remainAuthorsPaul C. Cross, Eric J. Maichak, Angela Brennan, Brandon Scurlock, John C. Henningsen, Gordon LuikartSpatio-temporal dynamics of pneumonia in bighorn sheep
Bighorn sheep mortality related to pneumonia is a primary factor limiting population recovery across western North America, but management has been constrained by an incomplete understanding of the disease. We analysed patterns of pneumonia-caused mortality over 14 years in 16 interconnected bighorn sheep populations to gain insights into underlying disease processes. 2. We observed four age-strucAuthorsE. Frances Cassirer, Raina K. Plowright, Kezia R. Manlove, Paul C. Cross, Andrew P. Dobson, Kathleen A. Potter, Peter J. HudsonWildlife contact analysis: Emerging methods, questions, and challenges
Recent technological advances, such as proximity loggers, allow researchers to collect complete interaction histories, day and night, among sampled individuals over several months to years. Social network analyses are an obvious approach to analyzing interaction data because of their flexibility for fitting many different social structures as well as the ability to assess both direct contacts andAuthorsPaul C. Cross, Tyler G. Creech, Michael R. Ebinger, Dennis M. Heisey, Kathryn M. Irvine, Scott CreelClimate change and infectious disease dynamics
No abstract available.AuthorsRaina K. Plowright, Paul C. Cross, Gary Tabor, Emily S. Almberg, Leslie Bienen, Peter J. HudsonUSGS Environmental health science strategy: providing environmental health science for a changing world: Public review release
America has an abundance of natural resources. We have bountiful clean water, fertile soil, and unrivaled national parks, wildlife refuges, and public lands. These resources enrich our lives and preserve our health and wellbeing. These resources have been maintained because of our history of respect for their value and an enduring commitment to their vigilant protection. Awareness of the social, eAuthorsPatricia R. Bright, Herbert T. Buxton, Laurie S. Balistrieri, Larry B. Barber, Francis H. Chapelle, Paul C. Cross, David P. Krabbenhoft, Geoffrey S. Plumlee, Jonathan M. Sleeman, Donald E. Tillitt, Patricia L. Toccalino, James R. WintonParasite invasion following host reintroduction: a case of Yellowstone’s wolves
Wildlife reintroductions select or treat individuals for good health with the expectation that these individuals will fare better than infected animals. However, these individuals, new to their environment, may also be particularly susceptible to circulating infections and this may result in high morbidity and mortality, potentially jeopardizing the goals of recovery. Here, using the reintroductioAuthorsPaul C. Cross, Emily S. Almberg, Andrew P. Dobson, Douglas W. Smith, Peter J. Hudson - Web Tools
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