Mathematics of Malaria Transmission Dynamics

November 13, 2023 - November 17, 2023

Organizers:

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Virginia Tech
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University of Maryland
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Morgen State University

Malaria, a parasitic disease spread between humans via the bite of infected adult female Anopheles mosquitoes, is one of the deadliest infectious diseases of mankind. The widespread and large-scale use of chemical insecticides in malaria-endemic areas has resulted in a dramatic reduction in malaria burden, prompting a renewed quest for malaria eradication. Unfortunately, the eradication effort faces numerous challenges, including widespread insecticide resistance, anthropogenic climate change (global warming significantly affects the lifecycle of the malaria vector and the parasite), human mobility, land use changes etc. This workshop brings together a multidisciplinary team of researchers (including mathematicians, modelers, entomologists, ecologists, epidemiologists, social scientists and public health policymakers) to discuss recent results and challenges associated with modeling the impacts of climate change and insecticide resistance on malaria vector and disease within the context of the current eradication quest. Some of the specific topics to be discussed include:

  1. Genomic-epidemiology modeling framework for the population abundance of the malaria vector

  2. Formulating and fitting models for malaria spread that incorporate climate change and insecticide resistance. Modeling impacts of climate change on the global distribution of malaria mosquitoes and disease burden.

  3. Optimal deployment of insecticide-based resources (long-lasting insecticidal nets, indoor residual spraying etc.)

  4. Biological methods of vector control: gene-drive based approaches (CRISPR-Cas9, release of transgenic mosquitoes, sterile insect technology and Wolbachia-based control).

  5. Emergence and evolution of parasite drug resistance and impact on malaria spread. Quantifying the impacts of immunity and parasite diversity on drug resistance evolution