June 16, 2026
Explaining how climate change affects ecological diversity and human health
Jessine Hein
Join Our Community of Science Lovers!
A hangover inspired Colin Carlson to meld climate change, public health and ecology. After a night out with a parasitologist, Carlson sat at brunch asking that friend whether parasites could—like so many of the organisms he worked with—go extinct from climate change. The two went on to conduct the largest study to date of parasite biodiversity, finding that up to one third of parasite species are at risk of extinction caused by climate change. Parasites fill important niches in ecosystems around the world, so the consequences of such a die-off could be catastrophic.
Carlson is now an assistant professor of epidemiology at Yale University, exploring the science and policy behind planetary health and running a National Science Foundation research project called Verena, in which he and his colleagues look for emerging viral threats. His mission is to help the world understand what future public health emergencies will look like and what we can do to mitigate them. He has testified in front of Congress on public health issues and advocated for increased investment in disease surveillance. The challenge, he says, is getting the people in power to act.
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
Tony Luong
In a time of funding cuts, misinformation and public distrust of science, it’s a more formidable challenge than ever. At the moment Verena is in a “state of profound instability,” with departing staff members, concerns about censorship and uncertainty over lost federal funding. In his laboratory, Carlson keeps a Post-it note on his desk that says, “Time spent on research is never wasted.” He lives by it. “This is the hardest this job has ever been, and I say that kind of tongue in cheek because this job is hard,” Carlson says. “It is normally hard but rewarding. Right now it is mostly hard.”
This article is part of “The Young American Scientists,” an editorially independent project that was produced with financial support from Regeneron.
It’s Time to Stand Up for Science
If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.
I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.
If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.
In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.
There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.