Research Summary

Our NIH-funded research laboratory is interested in studying the transmission of infectious diseases and impact of public health interventions with an ultimate goal of informing public health policy. We study a diverse set of pathogens, both domestically and internationally, including vaccine-preventable infections (including COVID-19) and neglected parasitic diseases (such as schistosomiasis). Our group applies diverse computational methodologies, including tools from fields of epidemiology, mathematical and statistical modeling, simulation, and policy analysis.

Our current research focuses on the following areas:

(1) Vaccine-preventable infectious diseases (including COVID-19) in the United States, with a focus on studying vaccines and transmission dynamics

(2) Public health strategies for control and elimination of globally important neglected infectious diseases, such as helminths infections (schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis) and typhoid fever 

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.