OWSD PhD Fellowship
2008
In my PhD thesis entitled, Host-parasite interactions of two sympatric small mammals from South Africa, I conducted the first comprehensive study on the entire ectoparasite community of two sympatric and widespread small mammals in South Africa namely, Micaelamys namaquensis and Elephantulus myurus. This original study contributed to our understanding of the composition of ectoparasite communities of small mammals and the factors that influence these ectoparasite prevalence and abundance patterns. I was successful to obtain new data on the ectoparasite burdens of Micaelamys namaquensis and determine the dominant ectoparasite species. Furthermore, I investigated the effect of season and host sex on the composition of the Micaelamys namaquensis parasite community. My research recorded a new host and new locality records of three louse species and two mite species. The investigation of Elephantulus myurus ectoparasite assemblage resulted in a new mite and a new tick locality records. The factors affecting ectoparasite patterns of Elephantulus myurus were investigated for the first time, and I have conducted the first long term investigation of Elephantulus
myurus ectoparasite community dynamics and their effect on host body condition.
myurus ectoparasite community dynamics and their effect on host body condition.
Fellowship Publications
January 2013
Dina Fagir > Other Awards
Doctoral bursary Awarded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) South Africa
October 2015
Dina Fagir > Other Awards
Mrs. Oppenheimer – Diamond route 2015 Awarded Doctoral bursary, South Africa
September 2024
Dina Fagir > Other Awards
Fellow of the Tuks Young Leadership Leadership Programme, June 2024. Tuks Young Research Leadership Programme (TYRLP), University of Pretoria, South Africa
April 2024
Dina Fagir > Other Awards
A travel award from the American Society for Rickettsiology (ASR) to attend the 33th annual meeting, 13 - 16 July 2024, Williamsburg, USA.
October 2024
Dina Fagir > Other Awards
Best Veteran Poster Presentation, Third place PARSA October 2024 Best Veteran Poster Presentation award from the Parasitological Society of Southern Africa (PARSA) at the 52nd PARSA Annual Conference, 06-08 October 2024, Hartbeespoort, South Africa
Full Member
Dr Dina M Fagir
Membership since:
2025
Field of activity:
About me
I am a parasitologist and taxonomist, my research focuses on the taxonomy, ecology and host-parasite interactions of ectoparasites (fleas, lice, mites and ticks) with hosts. In addition, I am interested in investigating zoonotic pathogens transmitted by fleas and ticks. I have vast experience in capturing, identifying and handling live small mammals. I also specialise in the identification and curation of ectoparasites. Recently, I have been appointed as the Curator and manager of the Ornithology collection and department at the Durban Natural Science Museum.
Degrees:
2016
Doctorate
Biological Systems and Organisms
2006
Master
Biological Systems and Organisms
2001
Undergraduate
Biological Systems and Organisms
Publications resulting from Research
Cossu, C.A., Cassini, R., Bhoora, R.V., Menandro, M.L., Oosthuizen, M.C., Collins, N.E., Wentzel, J., Quan, M., Fagir, D.M. and Van Heerden, H., 2024. Occurrence and molecular prevalence of Anaplasmataceae, Rickettsiaceae and Coxiellaceae in African wildlife: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 230, p.106257.
Mohammadi, S., Lutermann, H., Hoffmann, S., Emami-Khoyi, A., Webster, H.J., Fagir, D., Bennett, N.C. and Van Vuuren, B.J., 2021. Morphological and molecular characterization of the plague vector Xenopsylla brasiliensis. The Journal of Parasitology, 107(2), pp.289-294.
Fagir, D. M., Horak, I.G., Ueckermann, E.A., Lutermann, H., 2018. dentification of potential endemic rodent hosts for zoonotic pathogens in South Africa using network analyses. Bulletin article, Conference paper: 6th International Conference of Rodent Biology and Management, 2018. Book of Abstracts, 459, pp. 136
Fagir, D.M., Bennett, N.C., Ueckermann, E.A., Howard, A. and Hart, D.W., 2021. Ectoparasitic community of the Mahali mole-rat, Cryptomys hottentotus mahali: potential host for vectors of medical importance in South Africa. Parasites & Vectors, 14(1), p.24.
Fagir, D.M., Horak, I.G., Ueckermann, E.A., Bennett, N.C. and Lutermann, H., 2015. Ectoparasite diversity in the eastern rock sengis (Elephantulus myurus): The effect of seasonality and host sex. African Zoology, 50 (2), pp.109-117
Lutermann, H., Fagir, D.M. and Bennett, N.C., 2015. Complex interactions within the ectoparasite community of the eastern rock sengi (Elephantulus myurus). International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife, 4 (1), pp.148-158
Fagir, D.M., Ueckermann, E.A., Horak, I.G., Bennett, N.C. and Lutermann, H., 2014. The Namaqua rock mouse (Micaelamys namaquensis) as a potential reservoir and host of arthropod vectors of diseases of medical and veterinary importance in South Africa. Parasites and Vectors, 7, p.366
Fagir, D.M. and El‐Rayah, E.A., 2009. Parasites of the Nile rat in rural and urban regions of Sudan. Integrative zoology, 4 (2), pp.179-187
Mohammadi, S., Lutermann, H., Hoffmann, S., Emami-Khoyi, A., Webster, H.J., Fagir, D., Bennett, N.C. and Van Vuuren, B.J., 2021. Morphological and molecular characterization of the plague vector Xenopsylla brasiliensis. The Journal of Parasitology, 107(2), pp.289-294.
Fagir, D. M., Horak, I.G., Ueckermann, E.A., Lutermann, H., 2018. dentification of potential endemic rodent hosts for zoonotic pathogens in South Africa using network analyses. Bulletin article, Conference paper: 6th International Conference of Rodent Biology and Management, 2018. Book of Abstracts, 459, pp. 136
Fagir, D.M., Bennett, N.C., Ueckermann, E.A., Howard, A. and Hart, D.W., 2021. Ectoparasitic community of the Mahali mole-rat, Cryptomys hottentotus mahali: potential host for vectors of medical importance in South Africa. Parasites & Vectors, 14(1), p.24.
Fagir, D.M., Horak, I.G., Ueckermann, E.A., Bennett, N.C. and Lutermann, H., 2015. Ectoparasite diversity in the eastern rock sengis (Elephantulus myurus): The effect of seasonality and host sex. African Zoology, 50 (2), pp.109-117
Lutermann, H., Fagir, D.M. and Bennett, N.C., 2015. Complex interactions within the ectoparasite community of the eastern rock sengi (Elephantulus myurus). International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife, 4 (1), pp.148-158
Fagir, D.M., Ueckermann, E.A., Horak, I.G., Bennett, N.C. and Lutermann, H., 2014. The Namaqua rock mouse (Micaelamys namaquensis) as a potential reservoir and host of arthropod vectors of diseases of medical and veterinary importance in South Africa. Parasites and Vectors, 7, p.366
Fagir, D.M. and El‐Rayah, E.A., 2009. Parasites of the Nile rat in rural and urban regions of Sudan. Integrative zoology, 4 (2), pp.179-187