Applied Math Colloquium: Abba Gumel (UMCP)
Mathematical Biology and Epidemiology Talk
Location
Mathematics/Psychology : 101
Date & Time
December 9, 2022, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Description
Title: Mathematics of malariology: the renewed quest for eradication
Abstract: Malaria, a parasitic disease transmitted between humans via the bite of infected adult female Anopheles mosquito, is the most important vector-borne disease of mankind (causing, on average, over 500, 000 deaths globally each year, and majority of the deaths occurring in children under the age of five).
The widespread use of indoors residual spraying (IRS) and long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), over the period between 2000 to 2015, has led to a dramatic reduction of malaria burden in endemic areas (with most of the gains attributed to the use of LLINs), prompting a renewed concerted global effort to eradicate the disease by 2030 or 2040. Unfortunately, such heavy usage has also resulted in widespread resistance (in the malaria vector population) to all the currently available insecticides used in vector control. In this lecture, I will present some of the mathematical modeling work we have carried out to provide qualitative insight and understanding on the transmission dynamics of the disease, and to determine if the laudable malaria eradication objective can be achieved using existing vector control resources. The presentation will focus on quantifying the impact of two of the major challenges facing malaria eradication efforts, namely Anopheles resistance to the chemical insecticides used in vector control and anthropogenic climate change.
Prof. Gumel holds appointments in the Department of Mathematics, as well as Department of Biology & the Institute for Physical Science Technology at University of Maryland College Park.
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