Forrest Brem, Ph.D.

Research

Dr. Brem’s research focused on studying the interaction between Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), its amphibian hosts, and the environment. During his Master’s research, Dr. Brem investigated factors affecting the prevalence and distribution of the pathogen in amphibian hosts in central Panama. He had the opportunity to observe Bd invade a previously naïve amphibian and was able to document the Bd invasion and subsequent decimation of many amphibian species at the site. He and his team were the first to definitively show that Bd was the most likely cause for this, and many other previously enigmatic amphibian declines. During his PhD research he explored transmission of Bd between amphibians in the lab, studied the evolutionary changes that resulted from isolation of the pathogen, and looked at how different species and environmental conditions affect susceptibility and pathogenesis on amphibian hosts. The most important finding from his dissertation was that Bd rapidly loses its ability to infect amphibians after isolation in pure culture and passing isolated Bd through a host can restore some of that lost to infect hosts. It was also during his PhD that Dr. Brem found his passion for biology education. Dr. Brem still engages in undergraduate research but his primary focus now is on creating classes that are interactive, concept-based, and include learner-centered activities. 

Education

• BS in Zoology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 2003
• MS in Zoology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 2006
• PhD in Biology, The University of Memphis, 2012

Publications & Professional Activity

* non-peer reviewed

• * F. Brem (2009) Amphibian Chytridiomycosis. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/amphibian-chytridiomycosis
• * F. Brem (2015) Phenotypic plasticity and the discovery of the shape-shifting frog. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Phenotypic-Plasticity-and-the-Discovery-of-the-Shape-Shifting-Frog-2039193
• * F. Brem (2015) Bd: The amphibian plague. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bd-The-Amphibian-Plague-2037002
• Lips K. R., F. Brem, R. Brenes, J. D. Reeve, R. A. Alford, J. Voyles, C. Carey, L. Livo, A. P. Pessier, J. P. Collins. (2006) Emerging infectious disease and the loss of biodiversity in a Neotropical amphibian community. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 103 (9) 3165- 3170. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0506889103
• Brem F. M. R. and K. R. Lips. (2008) Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis infection patterns among Panamanian amphibian species, habitats and elevations during epizootic and enzootic stages. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms. 81(3): 189-202. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/dao01960
• Brem F. M. R., M. J. Parris, G. E. Padgett-Flohr. (2013) Re-isolating Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis from and amphibian host increases pathogenicity in a subsequent exposure. PLoS ONE 8(5): e61260. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061260

Affiliations

• Human Anatomy and Physiology Society

Awards

2017 – Darwin and His Big Idea: Why it Matters to us All. Invited Speaker at Jackson State Community College Darwin Week Celebration. 

2006 – Invited speaker at the 5^th World Congress of Herpetology, Amphibian Declines Symposium

2005 - Henri C. Seibert Award for best student paper in ecology at the 2005 Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists