lab members
Jason Donaldson
Assistant Professor of Ecology
Basil Senso
Basil is originally from Tanzania, where he obtained a BSc in Biotechnology and Laboratory Science from Sokoine University of Agriculture. In 2024, Basil joined the Holdo lab at Odum School of Ecology and he will graduate with his Masters in summer 2025. Basil’s research focuses on the drivers of parasitic nematode dynamics in wild ungulates in the Serengeti National Park (Tanzania). He will join the Donaldson lab in Fall 2025 and hopes to continue working on disease dynamics in wild ungulates.
Mike Landis
Mike is originally from Hershey, Pennsylvania and received his B.S. in Oceanography from the United States Naval Academy in 2011 as well as a Master of Environmental Management from Duke University in 2025. Before returning to academia, he spent 11 years in the Marine Corps as a C-130 pilot. While his interests are broad, he is currently interested in both trophic and disturbance ecology. For his PhD research he’s seeking to assess the relative effects of predator-prey interactions on plant community structure in the context of large-scale ecosystem change. He is hopeful his research can help to inform future rewilding and restoration initiatives. In his free time, he enjoys exploring the outdoors with family and introducing his son to the wonders of nature.
Peace Sabuni
Peace manages our project in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Peace has a BSc from Sokoine University of Agriculture and is interested in the use of bioinformatics to explore wildlife disease dynamics.
Jeremia Sarakikya
Jerry has over 10 years of experience working in the Serengeti National Park. He has managed data collection for projects exploring tree-grass dynamics, fire-herbivore interactions, and he is currently collecting data to explore the impact of ungulate movement on parasites dynamics.