Morgan Kain
About Morgan Kain
Morgan Kain is a Postdoctoral Scholar affiliated with the U.S. Geological Survey and Pennsylvania State University, currently conducting research at Stanford University. With a strong background in ecology, evolutionary biology, and disease modeling, Kain investigates the impacts of land-use changes on disease transmission and advocates for improved scientific reproducibility.
Work at U.S. Geological Survey
Morgan Kain serves as a Postdoctoral Scholar at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in collaboration with Pennsylvania State University. Since 2021, Kain has been based in Turners Falls, Massachusetts, where he engages in research focused on improving demographic and disease models for amphibians through the USGS Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI). His work contributes to understanding ecological dynamics and conservation efforts.
Current Research at Stanford University
Since 2019, Morgan Kain has worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher at Stanford University. His research investigates the effects of land-use changes on the transmission of vector-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria, and yellow fever in South America. Kain's contributions to early COVID-19 modeling efforts include making forecasts and analyzing the impacts of superspreading on epidemic dynamics.
Education and Expertise
Morgan Kain holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biology from McMaster University, where he focused on pathogen evolution and transmission dynamics. He also earned a Master's degree in Biology from East Carolina University and two Bachelor's degrees in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Economics from the University of Pittsburgh. His educational background provides a strong foundation for his research in ecology, epidemiology, and conservation.
Research Contributions and Focus Areas
Kain's research includes understanding the transmission dynamics of the Ross River virus in Australia, identifying key hosts and mosquito vectors. His PhD research centered on the myxoma virus in European rabbits and West Nile virus in birds. He advocates for reproducibility in science and collaborates with peers to enhance statistical practices and the communication of research results.