Research Summary

Our research laboratory is interested in studying the transmission of infectious diseases and impact of public health strategies with an ultimate goal of informing public health policy. Our group applies diverse computational methodologies, including tools of epidemiology, modeling, pathogen genomics, and policy analysis. We study a diverse set of pathogens including neglected tropical diseases, vaccine-preventable infections, and COVID-19.

Our current research focuses on the following areas:
(1) Vaccine-preventable infectious diseases in the United States
(2) Public health strategies for tropical infections, such as helminths infections (schistosomiasis) and typhoid fever
(3) Public health strategies to control the COVID-19 pandemic

Policy impact
A large emphasis of our work is translating scientific evidence into public health policy. Our track record includes multiple studies that have changed policy in the fields of neglected tropical diseases and COVID-19. We work closely with policy organizations like the World Health Organization and the California Department of Public Health.

Funding
We are fortunate for support from the National Institutes of Health, California Department of Public Health, and other foundation sources. In 2022, our group was awarded a NIH/NIAID New Innovator (DP2) award.