Central to our research is the collaboration between Baylor University (Dr. Michael Muehlenbein) and Universidad San Francisco de Quito (Dr. Jonathan Guillemot). The genesis of this collaboration is almost two decades of study abroad trips (including Malaysia, Japan, South Africa, St. Kitts, Gibraltar, Mexico, and Thailand) that prioritized student training in research methods. Involving students facilitates data collection while providing needed experiences for higher education and career development.
Our work employs digital surveys of thousands of tourists and residents in the Galápagos islands to answer research questions relating to Global Health and One Health issues. Some of those questions include:
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What are the perceived risks of disease transmission between humans and wildlife?
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How and why are travelers willing to engage in close contact with wildlife?
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How can we improve traveler education about appropriate behaviors?
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How has the development of tourism impacted the environment, wildlife, and local community members?
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How and why to local community members struggle with food and water insecurity and accessibility to healthcare?
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How can we support the needs of local residents in ways that foster environmental conservation?
Our work is facilitated through Baylor University's Study Abroad office in the Center For Global Engagement and USFQ's Office of International Programs.
Our work is approved by the Human Subjects Committee at Baylor (reference #2076110) and the Comité de ética de Investigación en Seres Humanos at USFQ (enmienda 2023-075M and 2023-076M).
