HelmCamp 2026

Wildlife Molecular Parasitology: From Taxonomy to DNA in Costa Rica

Students of HelmCamp learn to analyze DNA from wildlife parasites

Field ecologists and conservation biologists increasingly rely on molecular tools to understand the hidden dynamics of wildlife health and biodiversity. We are please to be co-presenting a unique opportunity to gain these skills through the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) in Costa Rica. This will be the second installment of our "HelmCamp" field course: Wildlife Molecular Parasitology: Taxonomy to DNA.

---

Planned for May 23–June 3, 2026, at the world-renowned La Selva Research Station in Costa Rica, this intensive two-week program will expose you to cutting-edge efforts to integrate classical parasite taxonomy with modern molecular and genomic techniques. Participants will collect, identify, and analyze parasites from wild hosts—bridging the gap between field parasitology and DNA-based biodiversity research. Whether you are interested in the fundamental ecology of host-parasite interactions or a wildlife conservation professional working to protect populations in a OneHealth framework, this course will offer transformational experiences.

Students of HelmCamp learn to handle wildlife and assess their health.

Course overview

This advanced course will help you learn and grow key skills:

• Capture and sample wildlife for parasite identification under ethical field protocols.
• Conduct parasite identifications using microscopy and taxonomic keys.
• ​Extract DNA, amplify genes through PCR, and apply portable Nanopore sequencing under field-lab conditions.
• Integrate morphological and molecular data to answer ecological, evolutionary, and conservation questions.

Through lectures, guided fieldwork, and laboratory sessions, you will learn molecular parasitology skills to illuminate ecosystem health, disease transmission, and host-parasite coevolution—critical for wildlife conservation and management.

Why La Selva and OTS?

La Selva Biological Station offers access to one of the most biodiverse tropical forests in the Americas. Its combination of pristine habitats and modern laboratory facilities makes it an ideal setting for hands-on molecular ecology training. The Organization for Tropical Studies is a world-leader in providing immersive, field-based educations for biologists and conservation scientists.

Key details

Dates: May 23 – June 3, 2026 (arrival May 22, departure June 4)
Location: La Selva Research Station, Costa Rica
Credits: 2 academic credits
Tuition: $3,450 (includes housing, meals, and in-country transport)
​Application Deadline: February 15, 2026

Apply now

Spaces are limited. Learn more and apply at tropicalstudies.org to advance your expertise in wildlife molecular parasitology, DNA sequencing, and conservation genomics in one of the world’s most inspiring research environments.