Ben Hanelt

Photo: Ben Hanelt

Principal Lecturer III

he/him
Email: 
bhanelt@unm.edu
Phone: 
505-277-2400
Office: 
CAST 2468

Education:
2003 University of Nebraska-Lincoln, John Janovy Jr. advisor
1998 UNM, Master's Biology, Eric Sam Loker advisor
1996 UNM, B.S. Biology major; Anthropology minor

 
Website
 
Google Scholar
 
ORCID

Research Area(s)

Parasitology

Research Interests:

Biology of the phylum Nematomorpha, and the coevolution of host-parasite interactions with a focus on immune systems

Profile:

I study the ecology and evolution of parasitic worms, with a particular focus on the Nematomorpha (hairworms) and their complex life cycles. My research explores how parasites interact with their hosts and environments, and what these relationships reveal about biodiversity, behavior, and ecosystem health. In the classroom, I strive to make microbiology and parasitology engaging and relevant by connecting core concepts to real-world examples and by fostering an inclusive, supportive learning environment. I’m especially passionate about mentoring students in research, helping them discover the excitement of asking questions that don’t yet have answers.

Selected Publications:

Hanelt, B., Thomas, F., & Schmidt-Rhaesa, A. (2005). Biology of the phylum Nematomorpha. Advances in Parasitology, 59, 243–305.

Hanelt, B. (2009). An anomaly against a current paradigm — extremely low rates of individual fecundity variability of the Gordian worm (Nematomorpha: Gordiida). Parasitology 136: 211–218.

Hanelt, B., Bolek, M. G., & Schmidt-Rhaesa, A. (2012). Going Solo: Discovery of the First Parthenogenetic Gordiid (Nematomorpha: Gordiida). PLOS ONE, 7(4): e34472.

Bolek, M. G., Rogers, E., Szmygiel, C., Shannon, R. P., Doerfert-Schrader, W. E., Schmidt-Rhaesa, A., & Hanelt, B. (2013). Survival of larval and cyst stages of gordiids (Nematomorpha) after exposure to freezing. Journal of Parasitology, 99(3), 397–402.

Swanteson-Franz, R. J., Schmidt-Rhaesa, A., Bolek, M. G., & Hanelt, B. (2020). A New Species of Gordionus (Nematomorpha: Gordiida) from the Rocky Mountains of New Mexico. Journal of Parasitology, 106(4), 471–477.