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Academics - Biology Faculty & Staff

Academics - Biology Faculty & Staff

Eric J. Wetzel

Professor of Biology and Global Health Initiative Director

CONTACT:

Hays Science Hall 119 & 114
765-361-6074
wetzele@wabash.edu
Curriculum vitae

Picture of Wetzel, Eric J.

Eric Wetzel is a Professor of Biology and the Director of Wabash’s Global Health Initiative (GHI). Dr. Wetzel grew up in Pennsylvania and was an undergraduate at Millersville University. He earned his MS and PhD at Wake Forest University in North Carolina, and later joined the Wabash faculty in 1996.

Dr. Wetzel’s teaching and research are on the biology of invertebrate animals with a focus on parasitic flatworms (especially digenetic trematodes), with much his work including students in field and laboratory work with hosts such as snails, frogs, insects, and crayfish. His current projects involve the ecology of local larval trematodes as well as soil-transmitted parasites that contaminate communities in Peru, S.A.

Dr. Wetzel has led >15 course-related immersion trips to the Gulf Coast, the coral reefs of Jamaica and Belize, and to the Amazonian rainforest, mountain, and urban regions of Peru. As the Director of the Wabash GHI, he works to help create opportunities for students to participate in global public health alongside partners in local, regional, and international communities. He collaborates with GHI-Peru Association to create and manage ongoing public health education workshops for women and children in Peru. 

Dr. Wetzel enjoys interacting with students both inside and outside the classroom / lab. He enjoys spending time with his family, watching a variety of sports, reading, fishing, and involvement in the life of their church. 

 

EDUCATION

Ph.D Biology (Ecological Parasitology), Wake Forest University, December 1995

M.S. Biology, Wake Forest University, May 1992

B.S. Biology, Millersville University, 1989

A.A. Life Science, Harrisburg Area Community College, 1987

 

RECENT COURSE OFFERINGS

BIO 111 & 112 – General Biology I & II

GHL/BIO 177 – Global Health

GHL 277 - Epidemiology (team-taught)

BIO 322 – Biology of the Invertebrates

BIO 326 – Parasitology

BIO 387 / 388 – Independent Study


 

RECENT PRESENTATIONS

Wetzel, EJ. 2022. (in)Equity & (in)Justice in Global Public Health: Classroom Changes & Global Partners. Wabash College Ides of August, 8/19/22

Invited speaker, I Encuentro Nacional E Internacional Sobre “Inclusion de Personas con Discapacidad” [1st National and International Meeting about Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities; hosted by UNHEVAL and GHI-Peru Corazones Excepcionales (COEX), 3/19/21

Lakomek, E. & E. Wetzel. 2021. Implementation of an undergraduate community-based health initiative in  response to COVID-19. Indiana Public Health Association Conference & Annual Meeting, April 9-10, 2021.

Wetzel, EJ. 2020. Worms & Warming: Transmission of Parasitic Helminths, an Invited Lecture as part of BIOL 352: ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE, an online course through the Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies, Mancelona, MI. July 29, 2020

Wetzel, EJ. 2020. “Voluntariado Internacional y Responsabilidad Social” – I Encuentro Internacional de Voluntariado de Responsabilidad Social Universitaria, Office of Social Responsibility, UNHEVAL, 8/8/20

Wetzel, EJ. 2019. “Community connections: Vulnerable populations, the Ministry of Health, and the Wabash College GHI in Peru.” Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru, 06 June.

Gunther, C., K. Johnson, C. North & E. Wetzel. 2018. Co-leader of Roundtable Discussion: Overcoming obstacles: Developing interdisciplinary undergraduate global health programs across institutional settings (Part II). AAC&U 2018 Annual Meeting, Jan 24-27, Washington, DC.

Wetzel, EJ. 2018. A view of our citizenship through the lens of Global Health. A presentation given at Citizen Wally: A Symposium on Citizenship and the Liberal Arts Faculty-Alumni symposium, June 2018.

Wetzel, EJ. 2018. Invited presentation. “There’s One World: Insights into Experiential Learning in Local and Global Health” -- or, “How Accompaniment – Being With -- Might Bridge the Gap of Physical and Spiritual Wellness”. Presentation (with J. Rogers) to the Wabash Pastoral Leadership Program, May 15, 2018.

Wetzel, EJ. Invited Webinar Panelist, Undergraduate Global Health Major and Minors: Integrating Experiential & Community-Based Learning, a Webinar for Faculty & University Leadership. Presented by CFHI in collaboration with NAFSA, Allegheny College, University of Washington, Wabash College, University of Minnesota, and UC Davis. 8/17/17

Wetzel, EJ. Invited speaker at Stakeholder Roundtable, given to Purdue University’s Public Health Graduate Program’s student orientation to present Wabash GHI collaboration opportunities, 8/17/17

 Wetzel, EJ. Invited speaker, “Iniciativa de Salud Global del Wabash College en Perú: Oportunidades y Perspectivas”.  Given at UNSCH (Ayacucho), UNHEVAL (Huanuco), and URP (Lima) as part of GLCA Crossroads grant-funed grant trip trip to Peru, Aug. 5-12, 2017.

 Invited speaker, Child Family Health International Webinar, “Undergraduate Global Health Majors and Minors: Integrating Experiential and Community-Based Learning.”  8/17/17

 Wetzel, EJ. Invited Panelist, “The Liberal Arts and Global Learning Outcomes: Student Research and StudY Abroad Goals.” DePauw University, 2/25/17

Wetzel, EJ. The Wabash Global Health Initiative: Connecting Student Experience from the Local to the Global. DePauw University, 2/1/17

Wetzel, EJ. Global Health Initiative-Peru Collaboration: Research Opportunities in the Peruvian Amazon, given at Universidad Nacional de la Selva, Tingo Maria, Peru, August 2016

Wetzel, EJ. Wabash Global Health Initiative: Objectives and Expectations in Huanuco, given at Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizan, Huanuco, Peru

Wetzel, EJ. Wabash Global Health Initiative: Partnerships and Possibilities, given at the Instituto Nacional de Salud (equivalent to our NIH), Lima, Peru

Wetzel, EJ. Global One Health: Zoonotic Diseases in the Neotropics, given at Universidad Ricardo Palma, Lima, Peru

Wetzel, EJ. Parasites, Public Health, & the Liberal Arts. Invited talk, Franklin & Marshall College, 3/25/16.

Wetzel, EJ. Global Health Initiative-Peru Collaboration: Research Opportunities in the Peruvian Amazon, given at Universidad Nacional de la Selva, Tingo Maria, Peru, August 2016.

Wetzel, EJ. Wabash Global Health Initiative: Objectives and Expectations in Huanuco, given at Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizan, Huanuco, Peru, August 2016.

Wetzel, EJ. Wabash Global Health Initiative: Partnerships and Possibilities, given at the Instituto Nacional de Salud (equivalent to our NIH), Lima, Peru, August 2016.

Wetzel, EJ. Global One Health: Zoonotic Diseases in the Neotropics, given at Universidad Ricardo Palma, Lima,  Peru, August 2016.

 Wetzel, EJ. & J. Rogers. The Global Health Initiative at Wabash College: Making & Sustaining Connections. Undergraduate Global Health Summer Institute, Allegheny College, June 4-6, 2015.

Wetzel, E. 2014. The Global Health Initiative at Wabash College: Introduction and Invitation. Annual Midwestern Conf. of Parasitologists, Univ. of KY Gluck Equine Research Center, June 5-7, 2014.

Wetzel, EJ. GHI in Peru: Future Directions – Lecture given at Univ. Nacional Hermilio Valdizan, Huanuco, August 2014.

Wetzel, E.J. 2013. Infections and Interactions: The Global Health Initiative at Wabash. 34th Ides of August, Wabash College. August 23, 2013

Wetzel, E.J. 2013 (August). The Global Health Initiative in Peru: Opportunities for research in Neotropical Parasitology. Given to Veterinary and Nursing Faculty of Univ. Nacional Hermilio Valdizan (UNHEVAL), Huanuco,Peru; also Biology faculty/students of Universidad Nacional Agraria de la Selva (UNAS), Tingo Maria, Peru.

Wetzel, E.J. 2013 (Aug.). Trematode parasites: Diversity of life cycles, ecology and impact in public health. Workshops given at UNHEVAL and UNAS, Peru.

Wetzel, E.J. 2013. Disturbance and the Wabash Ecosystem.  Chapel Talk, Wabash College, Jan. 24, 2013.

Patiño-Calla, K., P. Puescas-Sánchez,  M. Cárdenas- Carranza, O. Cáceres-Torres, I. Cornejo-Bermudez, J. Cárdenas-Callirgos, C. Luna-Muñoz, V. Durand-Tuanama & E. Wetzel. 2012.Clinic-epidemiological characteristics and factors associated with Peduculosis capitis  in a public school, Lima 2012. The Biologist (Lima), vol. 10:141, jul-dic, Suplemento Especial 2. Abstract for III Int. Congr. of Neotrop. Parasitology, Lima Peru.

 Estela-Ayamamani, D., R. Pereyra-Elías, J. Cárdenas –Callirgos, & E. Wetzel. 2012. Parasitosis intestinal en  una comunidad urbano marginal de Lima. 2012. The Biologist (Lima), vol. 10:57, jul-dic, Suplemento Especial 2. Abstract for III Int. Congr. of Neotrop. Parasitology, Lima Peru.

Mayta – Calderon, M., J. Chambi - Torres, R. Uscata - Barrenechea, J. Huaccho – Rojas, J. Cárdenas – Callirgos, & E. Wetzel. 2012. Parasitosis gastrointestinal en la comunidad rural de Llupa, Ancash-Peru,  2012. The Biologist (Lima), vol. 10:57, jul-dic, Suplemento Especial 2. Abstract for III Int. Congr. of Neotrop. Parasitology, Lima Peru.

         

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

(* indicates Wabash student)

Zarate-Rendon, D.A., D. Godoy Padilla, S. Pizarro Carcausto, A. del Aguila, E. Wetzel, & J. Naupari Vasquez. 2023. Spatial analysis and risk mapping of Fasciola hepatica infection in dairy cattle at the Peruvian central highlands. Parasite Epidemiology and Control https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parepi.2023.e00329

Hernández Russo, Z, Cárdenas Callirgos, J, Garcia-Ayachi, A, and EJ Wetzel. 2022. Review of Dioctophyme renale: Etiology, morphology, biology, ecoepidemiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention. The Journal of Parasitology 108(2):180-191.

Iannacone J, Osorio-Chumpitaz M, Utia-Yataco R, Alvariño-Flores L, Ayala-Sulca Y, Del Águila-Pérez CA, Huaccho-Rojas, J., Quinones-Laveriano, DM, Pineda-Castillo, C., Rojas-Bravo, V., Chavez-Cabello, R., La  Serna-Gamarra, PH, Cardenas-Calllirgos, JM, and EJ Wetzel. 2021. Enteroparasitosis en Perú y su relación con el Índice de desarrollo humano. Rev. Med. Inst. Mex. Seguro Soc. 59(5):368-76.

Cárdenas-Callirgos, J. & E.J. Wetzel. 2017. Iniciativa de salud global del Wabash College: Experiencia de  inmersión en el Perú. [Sección Especial]. Rev. Fac. Med. Hum. 2017;17(1):89-92. doi 10.25176/RFMH.v17.n1.754

Iannacone, J., Cárdenas-Callirgos, J. & Wetzel, E. (Eds). 2016. Abstract Book del V Congreso Internacional de Parasitología Neotropical (V COPANEO). “Ecología parasitaria: impacto en la salud global". 29 de mayo al 3 de  junio del 2016, Lima, Perú. II Simposio Internacional de Salud Global Neotropical" Ecología parasitaria: Impacto en la Salud Global " 2 de junio del 2016, Lima, Perú.S1-S141.

Iannacone, J., Cárdenas-Callirgos, J. & Wetzel, E. (Eds). 2015. Abstract Book del IV Congreso Internacional   de Parasitología Neotropical (IV COPANEO). Un Mundo, Una Salud: El Impacto Global de la   Investigación en Parasitología". 11 al 16 de Mayo del 2015, Lima, Perú. I Simposio Internacional de   Salud Global Neotropical "Enfermedades Parasitarias Desatendidas" 15 de Mayo del 2015, Lima, Perú.S1-S138. The Biologist (Lima), vol 13, Suplemento Especial 1. S1-S138.

Montalvo-Sabino, E, Cipriano-Fonseca, F, Marcelo-Andrade, E, Rosas-Jara, DM, Mines-Huaman, WM, Capcha-Tucto, LN, Chávez-Chávez, C, Benites-Mendoza, B, Sandoval-Tolentino, M, Pineda-Castillo, CA,Cárdenas -Callirgos, J, Wetzel, EJ & Iannacone, J. 2014. Factors associated with contamination of public parks (Huanuco, Peru) by Toxocara canis eggs and other endoparasites of zoonotic importance.   Neotropical Helminthology 8(2) Jul-Dec: 259-268.       

Zelada-Castro, H, J. Rodríguez-Borda, H. Flores-Liñan, J. León-Manco, E.J. Wetzel & J. CárdenasCallirgos. 2013. Notes on intestinal parasitic diseases in artisanal fishermen of the fishing terminal of Chorrillos (Lima, Peru). Neotropical Helminthology, 7(1) Jan-Jun: 155-166.

Literak, I., P. Heneberg, J. Sitko, E. Wetzel, J. Cardenas Callirgos, M. Capek, D. Valle Basto, I. Papousek. 2013. An outbreak of eye trematode infection in small passerines in Peru caused by Philophthalmus lucipetus, an agent with a zoonotic potential spread by an invasive freshwater snail. Parasitology International 62(4): 390-396

Wetzel, E.J. 2009. Editorial - Opportunities for research in helminthology in Peru: My own experience. Neotropical Helminthology 3:5-6.

Wetzel, E.J. & E.W. Shreve*. 2003. The influence of habitat on the distribution and abundance of metacercariae of Macravestibulum obtusicaudum (Pronocephalidae) in a small Indiana stream. The Journal of Parasitology 89(5): 1088-1090.

Ferrell, D.L.* , N.J. Negovetich*, & E.J. Wetzel. 2001. Effect of temperature on the infectivity of metacercariae of Zygocotyle lunata (Digenea: Paramphistomidae). The Journal of Parasitology 87(1): 10-13.

 

HONORS AND AWARDS

Sustainable International Partnerships in Global Health. GLCA Grand Challenge and Internationalization Innovation Fund grant, Oct. 2022.

Lilly Equity & Inclusion Pedagogy Fellowship, 2021-2022 cohort, Wabash College

Wabash College Coss Faculty Development Fund grant for participation in Global Health Experiential Education workshop, Costa Rica, Jan. 2020. 

McLain-McTurnan-Arnold Excellence in Teaching Award, April 25, 2019, given annually to “a member of the faculty who has distinguished him- or herself by innovative and engaging teaching.”

Butler-Turner Student-Alumni Engagement Award, Inaugural Recipient, May 9, 2017. Given by National Association of Wabash Men “to honor and recognize members of the Wabash faculty and staff who have made an outstanding contribution to Wabash College by distinguishing themselves through the investment of personal time and resources resulting in a significant impact on Wabash students and/or alumni.”

GLCA Internationalization Innovation Fund - Peru: Immersion scouting and networking trip, part of the Wabash College Collaborative Int’l Immersion Learning Proposal. Funded to lead a faculty trip to Peru. May 2017.

GLCA New Directions Initiative Grant, "Global Health as a New Direction: Next Steps", 2011

GLCA New Directions Initiative Grant, “Global Health as a New Direction: First Steps”, 2010

Faculty Development Grant in support of sabbatical work in Peru, Wabash College, Oct. 2009

Sabbatical extension for work on Global Health, Center of Inquiry in the Liberal Arts, Wabash College, Fall 2008.

McLain-McTurnan-Arnold Research Scholar Award, Wabash College, Spring 2003

PERSONAL BLOGS & PODCAST

Podcast  interview on the global health blog, "The Global Health Pursuit!" - "Student Lightbulb Moments: Parasites, NTD's, and Poverty" https://www.globalhealthpursuit.com/episode-show notes/26

Blog: Global Health Initiative

Wetzel discusses his interests in biology, the intracies and impacts of immersion trips and the Global Health Initiative.

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