Amelia Cole is a graduate of Michigan State University who studies disease ecology at the intersection between domestic animal and wildlife health. As a Fulbright US Student Researcher, Amelia works with Dr. Muhammad Agil, DVM of Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB University), and wildlife veterinarian Kurnia Khairani to examine tick-borne disease risks to the Javan Rhinoceros.

Amelia conducts her research in Ujung Kulon National Park, the last remaining home of the Javan rhinos. Through collection, identification, and genetic analysis of tick samples from UKNP and surrounding agricultural communities, her research project investigates whether Javan rhinos and domestic livestock share exposure to the same species of ticks and tick-borne diseases. With only an estimated 76 Javan rhinos remaining, Amelia hopes her research will illuminate previously unexamined health risks and inform the conservation of this critically endangered species.

Before beginning her research, Amelia studied bahasa Indonesia in Yogyakarta for three months as part of a Critical Language Enhancement Award.

In addition to her host institution of IPB University, Amelia’s research is supported by Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.