Taylor graduated from the University of Georgia in 2023 with a Bachelor of Environmental Science in Entomology and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Biotechnology. She returned home to Coastal Georgia to begin her dissertation research at the Center for Research and Education at Wormsloe focusing on ticks and tick-borne pathogens along the Georgia coastline. Working under the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SCWDS) at the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine, she conducts research in 15 coastal counties, targeting field sites in inland wire grass communities and in maritime forests on Georgia’s barrier islands.  

Taylor works with free-ranging ticks collected from the environment as well as with ticks attached on wildlife. From raccoons, opossums, and squirrels to eastern glass lizards, broad-headed skinks, and white-tailed deer, Taylor works with various wildlife species to collect ticks throughout the coastal plains.

She is investigating the prevalence and diversity of tick species as well as tick-borne pathogens such as Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme Disease, and Rickettsia rickettsii, the causative agent of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Additional investigations into the prevalence of STARI Borreliosis (Southern Tick Associated Rash-like Illness) are also underway.

From leading “Tick Talks” in elementary classrooms to discussions with local medical and veterinary professionals, Taylor has partnered with various community members to increase awareness of ticks and the importance of tick-borne pathogens along Georgia’s coastline.

She encourages everyone to conduct tick checks after spending time outdoors, especially if time was spent in tall, grassy areas!

If readers from Georgia’s coastal communities wish to contribute ticks to this study, please email Taylor at [email protected]