Rate My Professor Elliott Zieman

Zieman's research specializes in disease ecology and host-parasite interactions of vector-borne parasites. He primarily studies the apicomplexan parasite Cytauxzoon felis, which causes severe and often fatal cytauxzoonosis in domestic cats while establishing chronic infections in bobcats, the natural reservoir host. His investigations employ molecular DNA analyses and microscopic morphological examinations, also encompassing other emerging pathogens such as Trypanosoma cruzi in raccoons and the expansion of Gulf Coast ticks carrying Rickettsia parkeri in Illinois. Notable publications include "Three new species of Cytauxzoon in European wild felids" (Veterinary Parasitology, 2021), "Chronic Cytauxzoon felis infections in wild-caught bobcats (Lynx rufus)" (Veterinary Parasitology, 2018), "Concurrent examination of bobcats and ticks reveals high prevalence of Cytauxzoon felis in southern Illinois" (Journal of Parasitology, 2017), and "Trypanosoma cruzi strain TcIV infects raccoons from Illinois" (Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 2018). In October 2025, he received the Undergraduate Research Mentor Award from EIU's Interim Provost for his student-collaborative research on parasites affecting wildlife and domestic animals. Zieman serves as Chair of the Education Committee for the American Society of Parasitologists and advises EIU's Herpetology Club.