On 5 June 2018, the AIMS South Africa Public Lecture Series presented a talk titled: ‘Math and rabies control,’ by Dr Jonathan Dushoff, McMaster University Department of Biology.
Rabies is a horrifying disease whose effects on humans are almost entirely preventable. Within the last decade rabies has been recognised as a global public-health priority, and some areas of the world have made large strides in control, while others continue to struggle.
Dr Dushoff’s talk reviewed the role of mathematical modeling, and novel statistical approaches in elucidating patterns of rabies spread; informing intervention strategies; and evaluating control progress and prospects.
Bio: Dr Jonathan Dushoff uses mathematical, statistical and computational methods to advance public health, with a particular focus on infectious diseases. Jonathan was raised and educated in the United States, and worked for two years in the Peace Corps in Swaziland. After receiving a PhD from Princeton University, he did research in advocacy for four years in Taiwan. He is currently a professor in Hamilton, Canada. A founding member of the International Clinics on Infectious Disease Dynamics and Data, he has taught workshops at AIMS every year since 2007. He was recently appointed an Associate Researcher at the Stellenbosch South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis .