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Research I am interested in mathematical and statistical modeling of infectious
diseases. My work combines ideas from statistics, mathematical modeling and epidemiology. I am interested in both -- the modeling questions and the epidemiological and demographic implications -- of such work.
My current work is generally centered around the theme of bio-behavioral modeling of HIV with the goal of prevention of new infections.
One of the objectives of my dissertation is to assess the preventive potential of testing, early diagnosis, and post-diagnosis behavior change among men who
have sex with men (MSM) in Southern California. I use biological and behavioral data to model partnership networks, and simulate the effect of testing
and diagnosis. A second project I have is focused on the role of circular migrations -- periodic movement of individuals between two or more locations
(such as migrant laborers in South Africa) -- and the role that such migrations play in the epidemic. Part of this project is a theoretical comparison of
compartmental and network modeling, in terms of the features and predictions of the two frameworks. A subsequent goal is to create models calibrated to
data to assess the relationship between migration-frequency and HIV transmission.
- I am doing my doctoral work in the inter-disciplinary
graduate program in
Quantitative Ecology and Resource Management (QERM)
under the supervision of
Dr. Steven Goodreau,
a bio-cultural anthropologist.
I concurrently completed an MS in
Statistics in 2011, and prior to that an MS in
QERM
in 2009
(thesis
here ).
I am also affiliated with the
Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology
and the
Center for AIDS Research at the
University of Washington. I am a member of the
Network Modeling Group at the University of Washington.
Teaching
I am interested in teaching mathematical and statistical modeling methods to undergraduate and graduate students with broader applied interests. At the University of Washington, I have twice taught a course (QSCI 292) in integral calculus with an emphasis on biological and ecological applications. The challenge as an instructor was to keep the course meaningful for students who are interested in broader scientific questions, rather than math for its own sake. I believe in a hands on approach to problem-solving, and the size of the classes (about 20 students) afforded me plenty of opportunity to use class time to work on problems individually or in groups, and I was able to provide support and guidance as needed.
- I have also assisted
Dr. Loveday Conquest
in a course in statistical methods (QSCI 482)
taken primarily by first-year graduate students in the
School of Aquatic and Fisheries Sciences
and the
School of Forest Resources
at the
University of Washington .
- I also taught high-school courses in Honors Algebra, Geometry, Physics and
Advanced Placement Statistics at
Trinity Collegiate School
in South Carolina.
Background
Prior to coming to the University of Washington,
I graduated with a major in
Mathematics
from
Moravian College .
I also had an inter-departmental major in
Physics and
Political Science .
My senior year, I did an Honors' thesis
on the
Daisyworld
model.
The
Daisyworld
model was proposed by James Lovelock to show how the biotic components of an ecosystem may regulate its abiotic components. I questioned the fundamental assumptions of these models and created alternate versions to test the validity of these assumptions. The complete work can be viewed
here .
CV
For complete CV, click here .
Community Work
In Seattle, I have had the wonderful opportunity to be involved in the broader community through my current work with the
Foundation for International Understanding through Students and
Shanti .
In the past, I have also volunteered here with the
People for Puget Sound .
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