Michael M. Driessen

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About

Michael M. Driessen is a leading wildlife ecologist whose research centers on the environmental transmission of pathogens, disease ecology, and the conservation of Australian marsupials. His most influential work investigates the environmental suitability of bare-nosed wombat burrows for *Sarcoptes scabiei*, the mite causing sarcoptic mange—a devastating disease for wombat populations. By demonstrating how burrow microclimates facilitate pathogen survival, Driessen has illuminated a critical, understudied pathway of indirect disease transmission, bridging a key gap between host infection and environmental reservoirs. His work, cited over 30 times for this flagship study, has reshaped management strategies for mange in wombats and informed broader frameworks for wildlife disease control. Driessen’s contributions extend to policy and conservation planning, where his empirical findings guide habitat protection and disease mitigation efforts. Through rigorous field-based research, he has become a vital voice in understanding how environmental conditions drive disease dynamics, offering practical solutions for preserving vulnerable species in changing landscapes.