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AI-Generated Continental-Scale Predictions of Chronic Wasting Disease Spread Using Habitat, Herd Demography, and Genotype

Principal Investigator: Brenda Hanley

Co-PI: Krysten Schuler

Sponsor: USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Grant Number: AP26WSNWRC00C058
Title: AI-Generated Continental-Scale Predictions of Chronic Wasting Disease Spread Using Habitat, Herd Demography, and Genotype
Project Amount: $250,000
Project Period: October 2026 to September 2027

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant):

Continued spread of CWD suggests that current efforts conducted by any one agency aren’t enough. We will support agencies in combatting CWD by facilitating teamwork to produce the most powerful CWD technology of our generation. Knowledge and resources will increase teamwork across agencies, with shared data leading to faster detection, reduced inefficiencies, enhanced understanding of driving factors, increased solutions for slowing spread, and new insights that support sustainable cervid populations. At a pivotal moment when narrower attempts have failed, we will use our success in building a multi-national network to leverage all available data for a powerful information hub.