Mathematical, Computational, and Predictive Modeling Core

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PROJECT SUMMARY: Laurent Hebert-Dufresne, PhD, MCP Core (Research Core 2) Reducing the enormous burden of global infectious diseases remains one of the most important public health problems in the world. This realization was brought to the attention of the world during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mathematical and Computational Predictive (MCP) modeling is essential for understanding the epidemiology and mechanistic biology behind the spread of global infectious diseases. Modeling can play a critical role, for example, in improving our understanding and prediction of antimicrobial resistance, in the design of new antimicrobials and diagnostic tests, and in clarifying the complexities of the immune response involved in vaccine-induced protection. To fully exploit the potential of MCP modeling in global infectious disease research, however, we need to continue developing a common language and purpose that is still often lacking between the biological and computational worlds. In Phase I of this TGIR COBRE, we made significant progress in bridging this biomedical-computational “culture gap” through collaborative research and reciprocal education about each group’s domain expertise. In Phase 2 of this TGIR COBRE program, the MCP Core will continue to advance this mission by making its primary goal to serve the TGIR COBRE by bringing MCP modeling to bear on global infectious diseases research at UVM and to support our developing research project leaders (RPL) and junior faculty. At the same time, the MCP Core will continue its crucially important and already successful program of bridging the scientific culture gap between scientists with biomedical backgrounds and those with computational modeling expertise. To do this, the MCP Core will expand the TGIR COBRE institutional strength in Phase 2 by actively fostering cross-campus research projects focused on global infectious disease. Particular focus will be given to developing RPLs and creating funded research projects led by investigators from both the biomedical and mathematical/computational domains. These goals will be pursued in three Specific Aims: 1) to provide expertise and services directly to TGIR COBRE research project leaders, pilot awardees, and junior faculty, as well as other TGIR faculty to build and test computational models of globally important infectious diseases, 2) to expand and mature the educational components needed to train the next generation of scientists to employ both biomedical and computational research tools to reduce the global burden of infectious disease, and 3) to build institutional strength by fostering the development of fundable cross-campus research projects that bring biomedical and mathematical/computational scientists together in synergistic collaborations focused on global infectious disease.