Collin J. O'Connor

Education:

Doctor of Philosophy, Geography
      University at Buffalo, State University of New York
      Dissertation - Deer as Dilution Hosts: Testing Density-Dependent Mechanisms in the       Ixodes scapularis and Anaplasma phagocytophilium Genetic Variant System.
Master of Science, Epidemiology
      University at Albany, State University of New York
      Thesis - A Comparative Spatial and Climate Analysis of Human Granulocytic       Anaplasmosis and Human Babesiosis in New York State (2013-2018).
Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences
      University at Albany, State University of New York
      Minor: Public Health
Received May, 2025



Received May, 2020



Received May, 2018

Experience:

New York State Department of Health, Vector Ecology Laboratory
      Research Scientist 1
      Project Assistant
University at Buffalo
      Teaching Assistant
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
      Adjunct Faculty
Buffalo State University
      Volunteer Research Associate
July 2023 - Present
October 2018 - July 2023 August 2020 - May 2025 January 2022 - May 2022 September 2020 - Present

Courses Taught:

University at Buffalo
      Earth, Environment and Climate Laboratory - GEO 105
      Univariate Statistics in Geography - GEO 211
      Multivariate Statistics in Geography - GEO 411
Rochester Institute of Technology
      Maps, Mapping, and Geospatial Technologies - IGME 382
Fall 21', 22', Spring, 25'
Spring 22', 23'
Spring 24' Spring 22'

Publications:

1.) O’Connor, C., et al. 2023. Assessing the impact of areal unit selection and the modifiable areal unit problem on associative statistics between cases of tick-borne disease and entomological indices. J Med Entomol., tjad157. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjad157

2.) O’Connor C., et al. (2021) A Comparative Spatial and Climate Analysis of Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis and Human Babesiosis in New York State (2013 – 2018). J Med Entomol. tjab107. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjab107

3.) Prusinski, M. A., O’Connor, C., et al. (2023). Associations of Anaplasma phagocytophilum Bacteria Variants in Ixodes scapularis Ticks and Humans, New York, USA. Emerg Infect Dis., 29(3), 540-550. doi: https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2903.220320

4.) Russell, A., O’Connor, C., Lasek-Nesselquist, E., et al. Spatiotemporal Analyses of 2 Co-Circulating SARS-CoV-2 Variants, New York State, USA. Emerg Infect Dis., 28(3). doi: https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2803.211972

5.) Russell A, Prusinski M. A., Sommer J, O’Connor, C., et al. (2021) Epidemiology and Spatial Emergence of Anaplasmosis, New York, USA, 2010‒2018. (2021) Emerg Infect Dis. 27(8):2154-2162. doi: https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2708.210133

6.) Dupuis A. P., Prusinski M. A., Russell A., O’Connor, C. et al. Serologic Survey of Mosquito-Borne Viruses in Hunter-Harvested White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus), New York State. (2020) Am J Trop Med Hyg. 104(2). doi: https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.20-1090

7.) Dupuis, A. P., Prusinski, M. A., O’Connor, C., et al. (2021). Heartland Virus Transmission, Suffolk County, New York, USA. Emerg Infect Dis., 27(12), 3128–3132. doi: https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2712.211426

8.) Dupuis, A. P., Prusinski, M. A., O’Connor, C., et al. Bourbon virus transmission, New York State. Emerg Infect Dis. 29(1), 145-148. doi: https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2901.220283

9.) Foley M., O’Connor, C., et al. Spatiotemporal distribution of Borrelia miyamotoi (Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae) and coinfection with other tick-borne pathogens in host-seeking Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) from New York State, USA. J Med Entomol., 60(4), 808–821. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjad054

10.) Oppler, Zachary J., …, O’Connor, C., et al. 2024. “Population Dynamics of the Lyme Disease Bacterium, Borrelia Burgdorferi, during Rapid Range Expansion in New York State.” Molecular Ecology 33(16): e17480. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.17480

Conference and Seminar Presentations:

O’Connor, C., Aldstadt, J., Prusinski M. A., Wilson A., White Jennifer Forest connectivity describes differing enzootic cycles for genetic variants of Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Vector Week 2024, Fort Collins, CO.

O’Connor, C.. Functional forest connectivity and land use patterns of mammalian hosts in the enzootic system of Anaplasma phagocytophilum Climate Change and Emerging Infection Diseases Seminar, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 2024, Albany, NY.

O’Connor, C., Prusinski M. A., Aldstadt J., Wilson, A., Crooks, A., et al. Space-use patterns of white-tailed deer and the dispersal of Anaplasma phagocytophilum genetic variants in New York State. Annual meeting of the Association of American Geographers 2023, Denver CO.

O’Connor, C., Prusinski M. A., Aldstadt, J., Falco, R., Oliver, J., Haight, J., Tober, K., Sporn, L., White, J., Brisson, D., Backenson, P. B. The impact of the modifiable areal unit problem of tickborne disease research. Annual meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2022, Seattle WA.

Russell, A., O’Connor, C., Lasek-Nesselquist, E., Plitnick, J., Kelly, J., Lamson, D., St. George, K. SARS- CoV-2 genomic surveillance reveals early variant competition in New York State - Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology Research Seminar, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 2021

Prusinski, M. A., O’Connor, C., Russell, A., Sommer, J., White, J., Rose, L., Falco, R., Kokas, J., Vinci, V., Gall, W., Tober, K., Haight., J., Oliver, J., Meehan, L., Sporn, L., Brisson, D., Backenson, P. B. Spatiotemporal associations of Anaplasma phagocytophilum genetic variants in host-seeking Ixodes scapularis ticks and human anaplasmosis cases in New York State. – 2022 Annual Meeting of the Northeast Regional Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases (NEVBD)

Conference Sessions Chaired:

Ectoparasite-Borne Diseases, Annual meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2022, October 31, 2022, Seattle WA.

Peer Reviewer:

Courses Developed:

Univariate Statistics in Geography,

 4-credit undergraduate course
 Developed course materials including: R programming lab assignments

Multivariate Statistics in Geography,

 3-credit undergraduate course
 Developed course materials including: R programming analysis project, lecture notes

Scholarships / Awards:

University at Buffalo,
Excellence in Teaching Award for Graduate Students
March 2023