The causes and consequences of non-normal distributions in parasitology

Most distributions in biology are well described by a normal distribution and Fisher provided a convincing explanation for this. However, this is not the case in parasitology. Usually parasites followed a skewed distribution that is empirically described by a negative binomial distribution. Similarly, the components of the protective immune response (IgA, IgE, eosinophils and mast cells) follow skewed distributions. The causes of these non-normal distributions will be discussed and the consequences, both biological and statistical, described.

Bio

Professor Michael Stear is widely recognised as the world authority on the nematode Teladorsagia circumcincta and as a world leader in immunogenetics, especially in the study of genetic variation in immune responses to parasites, in particular gastrointestinal nematodes. His appointment is predominantly research (60%) but he coordinates the animal health course for undergraduates where he teaches veterinary parasitology and immunology. His teaching attracts some of the most talented students to work in his laboratories and he has successfully trained over 30 postgraduate students. He currently supervises a team of 6 scientists and has strong collaborations with scientists in Australia, UK, Poland, Spain and France.

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