"You see, Alexi. I treat and diagnose all forms of infectious diseases in humans, but my favorite has to be viruses. Viruses are perhaps God's greatest and worst creation (if you believe in that, of course). They don't pick favorites."


Dr. Lawrence is a quirky MD who has moved to Brisbane, Australia to take a research position in what he think will be a relatively mundane field: infectious diseases. Through a shocking series of events, Lawrence ends up in Siberia tracking a deadly pathogen with his colleague, Dr. Rebecca Fraser and their Russian liaison, Alexi.


Many questions arise as we follow Dr. Lawrence on his journey. Will Dr. Lawrence and Dr. Fraser figure out the origin of the deadly pathogen? Is it something that can be treated before becoming a global pandemic? How many days in a row can Dr. Lawrence wear sweatpants and crocs? Most importantly, will Dr. Lawrence run out of barbecue sauce before he leaves Siberia?


In Etiology: Tracking a Deadly Pathogen, Dr. Lawrence seeks to answer under-researched and under-appreciated questions. Readers will be entertained by Lawrence's dry humor, and will come away with a basic understanding of the many ways in which climate change and medicine are inextricably intertwined.