Computational Models of Infectious Disease Threats

描述（由申请人提供）：该提案建立在我们作为NIGMS传染病病原体建模研究项目中建立的卓越中心的可靠生产力记录之上。到目前为止，我们的卓越中心已经在同行评审的期刊上准备和发表了174篇手稿；主持5次大型跨学科会议；为95名不同的学生提供了计算建模的研究和培训机会；开发了10种创新的计算方法、工具或平台；并为县（阿勒格尼）、州（宾夕法尼亚州）、国家（CDC、ASPR、BARDA）和国际（世卫组织）的卫生官员提供了宝贵的、及时的决策支持。匹兹堡的私家侦探和关键合伙人的高级调查员

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This proposal builds upon our proven track record of productivity as an established Center of Excellence within the NIGMS Modeling of Infectious Disease Agent Study program. To date, our Center of Excellence has prepared and published 174 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals; hosted five major trans-disciplinary conferences; introduced 95 diverse students to research and training opportunities in computational modeling; developed ten innovative computational methods, tools or platforms; and provided valuable, timely decision support to health officials at the county (Allegheny), state (Pennsylvania), national (CDC, ASPR, BARDA), and international (WHO) levels. The PI at Pittsburgh and the senior investigators at key partnering institutions (Carnegie Mellon, Johns Hopkins, and Imperial) form an established team of experienced modelers who are proven to be highly collaborative with each other and with colleagues across the entire MIDAS network. The Center of Excellence research plan consists of five interacting research projects which focus on (1) Data and Parameters; (2) Behavioral Dynamics; (3) Evolutionary Dynamics; (4) Models and Forecasts; and (5) Policy Methods. All five projects are linked to each other as steps along a public health decision-support "metamodel" of information flow. The five research projects are led by outstanding research academicians who are highly expert in their respective areas. Expected research project pay-offs include deeper mechanistic understanding of epidemic dynamics, increased accuracy of epidemic forecasting, and improved methods to assess the value of information required for greater confidence in public health decision-making. The Center of Excellence also houses four supporting components, on Policy Studies; Software and Computing; Training, Outreach, and Diversity; and Administration. Each supporting component is led by an exceptionally well-qualified expert and is designed to interact with and facilitate the work of the research projects. A unique feature of this Center of Excellence is its remarkably interdisciplinary character, with vigorous participation by physicians, epidemiologists, behavioral scientists, microbial geneticists, computer scientists, health policy experts, lawyers, and public health practitioners. We are well positioned to provide continued leadership in the renewed MIDAS network, and we are deeply committed to collaborative research not only within our own Center Excellence but across the entire MIDAS network structure.