Abstract: In this talk, Lurie and co-investigators will discuss their newly funded NSF Center, MAPPS, aimed at predicting and preventing future pandemics. We will present the rationale for our focus on human mobility and social interactions and discuss major project goals and activities. The MAPPS Center aims to 1) become a clearinghouse for data on mobility and social mixing by archiving, collating and making publicly available related domestic and international datasets; 2) designing and pilot testing wearable devices or phone based apps to measure mobility, social interaction and biometrics; 3) designing a menu of mathematical models to use this data to predict new pandemics and to devise interventions to mitigate their impact; and 4) to infuse our work with a strong focus on ethics and confidentiality.

Bio: Mark Lurie is an infectious disease epidemiologist in the Epidemiology Department at Brown School of Public Health and the Interim Director of the International Health Institute. Born and raised in South Africa, Lurie earned a masters degree in African History and a PhD in International Health. Until recently Lurie's work has focused on the role of human migration in the spread of sexaully transmittted infections, HIV and TB in sub-saharan Africa, employing methods including qualitative interviews, mathematical modeling and randomized controlled trials. With a new NSF grant, Lurie plans to focus his new work on understanding mobility and population mixing and their potential impact on pandemic spread.

Click here to add this event to your Google Calendar.