Programming and Support


Training themes:

Linking within- and between-host dynamics

  • within-host models that integrate resource competition among vital host functions and immune defenses

  • nested mathematical modeling to integrate within- and between-host dynamics

  • mathematical modeling of non-linear feedbacks between co-infections at the individual and population levels 

  • analysis of metagenomics data to describe host microbiomes and their influence on infectious disease susceptibility 

  • application of mutualism theory to reveal the importance of symbionts in providing protection against parasites

Scaling host and population dynamics through host heterogeneity

  • GIS analyses to quantify how spatial structuring leads to infection risk 

  • mathematical and statistical network analysis to study how contact networks drive the spread of disease and to provide recommendations for effective intervention strategies
  • spatial and individual-based modeling approaches to study the effects of individual history, movement and land use on transmission 
  • landscape genetics and genomics, and phylodynamics

 Integrating population and community dynamics

  • community ecology modeling to investigate importance of particular host species in amplifying or diluting the transmission of pathogens

  • ecophysiological modeling of the thermal performance and limits of hosts, vectors and pathogens

  • phylogenetic approaches to integrate molecular biology and evolutionary theory to study between-species transmission

  • spatial mathematical and statistical modeling to quantify spillover risks; comparative immunology to assess community infection risks

 Population-region scaling

  • cross-scale mathematical and statistical modeling that account for two-way feedbacks
  • inclusive epidemiological study design to improve inference of genetic, genomic and metagenomics data
    integration of epidemiological data with phylogenetic techniques to create traceback investigations
  • species distribution models and eco-informatic “big data” approaches to spatiotemporal disease mapping

Programmatic events are open to ALL students, not just those supported by the training grant.

Dissertation committee:

Include at least one faculty member from a different program (e.g. PBEE student needs at least one faculty member from IMP or EHS)
 

Support:

IDASTP will support:

  • 4 students per year (2 third-years and 2 fourth-years)

  • Trainees are supported for 2 years (their third and fourth year)

  • Trainees must be enrolled in IMP, PBEE, EHS, MMG or EPI programs 

  • Stipend will support students for 2 years

  • $1,000 per year for travel to conferences, workshops or fieldwork

  • $1,000 per year for research-related costs

 

How to apply