Biologist and UBC member Charissa de Bekker was awarded an ERC Consolidator Grant, together with several other Utrecht-based researchers. In her ERC project, Charissa explores the world of parasites that manipulate the behavior of their hosts, akin to the zombies depicted in popular culture. Charissa anticipates that unraveling the molecular genetics of parasite-induced behavioral changes will not only advance our understanding of these manipulation strategies. It could also pave the way for innovative pest control methods and the development of fungus-derived drugs.