Mike Boots' research focuses on ecology, epidemiology, evolution, and infectious disease. His work addresses the burden that parasites and pathogens place on human health and agriculture. The overall aim of his research is to understand the evolution of parasites and the host defense mechanisms against infectious organisms that influence their spread and persistence within host populations. He employs a combination of evolutionary theory, experimental host-parasite systems, epidemiological models, and field entomology in his studies. His general theory and experiments concentrate on the ecological roles in the generation and maintenance of diversity among hosts and parasites, the impact of spatial structure on evolution, and the implications of tolerance versus resistance to infectious diseases. Recently, he has been increasingly interested in applying evolutionary theory to the management of human agricultural diseases. Specific systems of interest include Squirrel poxvirus, social networks and tuberculosis in badgers, tuberculosis in wild boar populations, honeybee varroa mite virus interactions, dengue and emerging tropical viruses, and human avian malaria.