About us
Mathematical modelling has transformed our understanding of the dynamics and control of infectious diseases, through concepts such as the reproduction number, herd immunity, and theory of epidemics. In our group, we develop and apply models of infectious disease transmission to better understand the epidemiology of transmissible pathogens, to explore scenarios of future infection dynamics, and to inform the design, implementation, and effectiveness of population health interventions. We are particularly focussed on respiratory pathogens and the impact of immunisation. In terms of methods, we apply a range of mathematical and statistical techniques, including differential equations, computational methods, stochastic processes, and optimisation theory.
We are motivated by seeing insights from our work become tangible policy and practice outcomes. This is reflected by our collaborations with health agencies, contributions to national and global vaccine policy, and membership of peak advisory bodies such as ATAGI and the World Health Organization IVIR-AC.
We welcome expressions of interest from prospective research students or postdoctoral staff.
Our people
Our work
Epidemic analysis and scenario modelling
Dr Alexandra Hogan and Prof James Wood are investigators on the Australian Centre for Epidemic Forecasting and Analytics (ACEFA), led by University of Melbourne, with partners across several Australian institutions. ACEFA is focussed on developing advanced analytic methods and translational research initiatives to embed robust and timely epidemic analysis into public health decision-making.
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Monitoring the long-term effects of COVID-19
Prof Bette Liu is leading the Post-Acute COVID-19 Outcomes Study, a project funded by the MRFF. This study will track Australians who have had COVID-19 to investigate the long-term health effects of the virus and their use of health services. The findings will provide critical insights that will help inform future public health planning and healthcare resource allocation in Australia
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Modelling and surveillance to assist future pandemics
Prof James Wood is leading a NHMRC Partnership Project which in collaboration with health departments from NSW, ACT and Queensland, uses integrated models and surveillance, and insights from the COVID-19 pandemic, to improve our responses to COVID-19, influenza and future pandemic threats.
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Mathematical modelling to inform longer-term policy planning for COVID-19 vaccination in Australia
Dr Alexandra Hogan is leading a NHMRC Investigator Grant which will use advanced mathematical modelling to evaluate the effectiveness of ongoing COVID-19 immunisation programs, including annual boosters and responses to new variants. This research will provide critical insights that will guide equitable and evidence-based vaccine policy in Australia and the broader region.
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School collaborators
Collaborate with us
Are you a student or post-doctoral fellow looking to collaborate? We have projects available related to topics such as:
- Enhanced vaccination strategies for longer-term mitigation of multiple respiratory viruses in the Australian population
- Modelling COVID-19-induced interruptions to transmission of respiratory pathogens
- Approaches to capturing different sources of immunity in models for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
- Revised models of interventions to inform future pandemic planning
- Integration of novel surveillance data in models of respiratory pathogen control
Please contact james.wood@unsw.edu.au or alexandra.hogan@unsw.edu.au for more information.
Current opportunities
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Details of the role
The Post-Doctoral Fellow at the School of Population Health (SPH) UNSW will work on exciting research related to respiratory virus prevention (with a focus on COVID-19) involving a number of key Australian institutions. The research will use health economic and infectious disease modelling to evaluate the impact and cost-effectiveness of population health interventions, particularly vaccines. It will involve applying a range of health economic, mathematical and statistical techniques, including economic evaluation and computational methods.
The roles of Post-Doctoral Fellow will report to Associate Professor Anthony Newall and has no direct reports.
Some key skills required:
- A PhD (or equivalent experience) in a quantitative discipline, featuring advanced skills in health economics, mathematics and/or statistics.
- Proven ability to develop and apply skills in economic evaluation modelling and/or mathematical modelling (in the health field).
- Drafting of scientific papers and where relevant, reports, abstracts and presentations for internal, national and international meetings.
- Demonstrated track record of first author peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations in English.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research with limited supervision.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a team, collaborate across disciplines and build effective relationships.
- Communicate and collaborate with relevant academic colleagues and/or other relevant partners.
Please refer to the position description for full details.
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The Infectious Diseases Dynamics and Interventions Group, within the School of Population Health at UNSW Sydney, is seeking expressions of interest from prospective PhD candidates who wish to undertake research in the field of infectious disease modelling.
The School of Population Health (SPH) at UNSW is internationally recognised as a leader in public health with research strengths across a range of health disciplines, including infectious diseases and immunisation, and global health. In the Infectious Diseases Dynamics and Interventions Group (co-led by Prof James Wood and Snr Lecturer Alexandra Hogan), we use dynamic infectious disease models to inform the design, implementation, and effectiveness of population health interventions, particularly vaccines and immunotherapeutics. We use a range of mathematical and statistical techniques, including differential equations, computational methods, stochastic processes, and optimisation theory. We are currently working on a program of research focussing on transmission models for respiratory viruses and vaccination strategies.
Project title: Using mathematical modelling to explore the future health impact of combination vaccines for respiratory viruses
Combination vaccines targeting multiple respiratory viruses are an increasingly active area of vaccine research, driven by the growing availability of effective single pathogen vaccines and the recognition that streamlined immunisation strategies could improve uptake and protection across populations. As these combination vaccines progress through the development pipeline, important questions will arise regarding their optimal deployment, such as how best to schedule dosing and which population groups to prioritise.
Mathematical modelling provides a key tool to address these questions. In this project, the student will develop age structured transmission models for respiratory viruses that are current targets of combination vaccine development, allowing quantification of age specific disease burden across viruses. Building on these foundations, the student will extend the models to incorporate multiple respiratory viruses and evaluate how vaccine coverage, timing, and dosing strategies influence vaccine benefit and program efficiency. This work will support evidence based planning for future combination vaccine programmes. Specific details of the project can be adapted based on the research interests and skills of the prospective student.
The PhD student will be a member of the Infectious Disease Dynamics and Interventions Group based at the School of Population Health, within the Faculty of Medicine & Health at UNSW Sydney. The student will be based at the Kensington Campus in Sydney. If successful in the UNSW Sydney PhD admissions process, the candidate would receive a scholarship of AU $39,206 per year for up to 3.5 years.