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An initiative of the Center for Biological Diversity

An initiative of the Center for Biological Diversity

Wild, Incisive, Fearless.

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Mackenzie L. Kwak

is a parasitologist based in Japan at Hokkaido University and is co-chair of the IUCN parasite specialist group. His research focuses on parasite conservation biology, species discovery, and the impact of global changes on parasites and public health. He leads the Ryukyu Rabbit Tick Conservation Program, the first for a globally threatened parasite. He spends as much time as possible on the Japanese island of Amamioshima trying to answer questions on the ecology of ticks and developing methods to forecast and control zoonotic spillover.
https://x.com/mlkwak https://www.facebook.com/mackenziekwakparasitologist/
An extreme closeup of a gold, red and gray tick against a black background
Voices

Saving the Ryukyu Rabbit Tick: The Posterchild of Parasite Conservation

This endangered invertebrate is harmless to humans — and rabbits. Saving it from extinction might even benefit both species.
January 15, 2025
by
Mackenzie L. Kwak
This endangered invertebrate is harmless to humans — and rabbits. Saving it from extinction might even benefit both species.
parasite
Voices

Conservationists Have a New Tool to Save Parasites From Extinction

Parasites play a vital role in a healthy ecosystem, yet modern conservation techniques often do more harm than good. We propose a solution.
August 5, 2020
by
Mackenzie L. Kwak
Parasites play a vital role in a healthy ecosystem, yet modern conservation techniques often do more harm than good. We propose a solution.
manx shearwater flea
Voices

Could a British Flea Be the Next Casualty of the Great Insect Dying?

It may not seem charismatic, but Scotland’s Manx shearwater flea could be a symbol that no species is too small or strange to deserve saving.
October 21, 2019
by
Mackenzie L. Kwak
It may not seem charismatic, but Scotland’s Manx shearwater flea could be a symbol that no species is too small or strange to deserve saving.
DNA
Voices

How to Inspire a Renaissance in Natural History and the Science of Conservation

Citizen scientists can use simple tools to study the DNA of plants and animals in their communities and help contribute to our understanding of the world.
March 15, 2019
by
Mackenzie L. Kwak
Citizen scientists can use simple tools to study the DNA of plants and animals in their communities and help contribute to our understanding of the world.
heath's tick
Voices

Meet Australia’s Newest Species: An Endangered Tick

The ancestors of the newly described Heath’s tick date back to the time of the dinosaurs, but climate change and invasive species could soon wipe the tick out.
February 6, 2019
by
Mackenzie L. Kwak
The ancestors of the newly described Heath’s tick date back to the time of the dinosaurs, but climate change and invasive species could soon wipe the tick out.

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An initiative of the Center for Biological Diversity