Tick Talk: All About Ticks!

Join Ashley Wilkins, the American Society of Microbiology’s Young Ambassador to Montana, for a fascinating and kid-friendly look into the world of ticks! Learn what ticks are, where they live, how they interact with humans and animals, and how to stay safe outdoors. Through fun activities and real science, kids will explore the tiny but important world of these creepy crawlies!

About Ashley Wilkins:

Dr. Ashley A. Wilkins is a researcher at the Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton, Montana. Her work focuses on Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, exploring how it adapts and survives within its host reservoirs. These insights are vital for improving the prevention and treatment of tick-borne illnesses.

Dr. Wilkins earned her PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from LSU Health Shreveport, where she studied how Legionella pneumophila uses host lipids to replicate. She also holds a master’s degree in Microbiology and Immunology from Tulane University, a bachelor’s degree in Biology with a microbiology focus from Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, and an Associate of Applied Science in Pharmacy Technology from Austin Community College. Before pursuing research full-time, she worked in both veterinary and pharmacy settings.

A recipient of numerous awards for scientific excellence and communication, Dr. Wilkins has authored publications in Nature Communications, Frontiers in Bacteriology, and Microbial Cell. She has presented her research at leading national conferences and is deeply engaged in science outreach, mentorship, and service. She currently serves as the American Society for Microbiology’s Young Ambassador to Montana and as a mentor in its Future Leaders Mentorship Fellowship. Dr. Wilkins is passionate about making science approachable and meaningful – especially in rural communities – and enjoys connecting with others about how science shapes everyday life.