research overview
Our research program addresses the following specific objectives in the context of the introduction, spread, and control of communicable infectious diseases in both human and animal populations:
1) To determine the effect and relative importance of host heterogeneity and contact network structure on the introduction and spread of communicable diseases.
2) To evaluate the impact and relative effectiveness of different interventions in community and/or farm settings according to the variability in hosts, network structure, and exposures.
Emerging infectious diseases
1) SARS-CoV-2 pandemic
We are currently working on a number of epidemiological and modeling projects related to the disease dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in Canada.
Funding: Canada Research Chairs program, Public Health Agency of Canada, University of Guelph, and the National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases, NSERC-EIDM networks
Key collaborators: Dr. Ashleigh Tuite (University of Toronto), Dr. David Fisman (University of Toronto), Gabrielle Brankston (PhD student), and Haley Weber (PhD student), Dr. Lawrence Goodridge (University of Guelph)
2) Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)
We are interested in examining emergence and early disease dynamics of avian influenza in poultry as well as spillover dynamics the human-poultry interface.
Funding: Canada Research Chairs program, NSERC-EIDM networks
Key collaborators: Riley Oremush (PhD student), Dr. Isha Berry (US CDC EIS), Dr. Pascale Aubry (CFIA)
3) Changing dynamics of vector-borne diseases under climate change
We are working to develop Canadian models to examine the risk of importation of vector-borne diseases such as Chikungunya virus into Canada and the implications for local disease spread under different climate scenarios.
Key collaborator: Helen Wilson (PhD student, University of Warwick), and Dr. Vicky Ng (Public Health Agency of Canada)
diseases of agriculturally important animals
1) Equine Network Structure and Opportunities and Challenges for the Spread of Communicable Diseases
We are currently conducting a variety of studies focused on describing the ways in which horses contact one another both at their home facilities and when they are travelling off-site to attend competitions and/or participate in other activities. These are the first studies of this type in Canada. Data collected will help to inform more effective biosecurity planning and implementation of disease prevention and control strategies.
Funding: Agriculture Canada, NSERC
Key Collaborators: Dr. Terri O'Sullivan (University of Guelph), Dr. Tanya Rossi (University of Guelph), Dr. Kelsey Spence (University of Guelph, and Gabrielle Turcotte (PhD student), Equestrian Canada, and Equine Guelph.
2) Network Dynamics of the Canadian Dairy Industry
In this project we are using data from the Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) program to 1) improve our understanding of how changes in contact network structure influence the dynamics and control of infectious diseases in populations, and 2) evaluate how contact network structure evolves over time in response to intrinsic and extrinsic processes (e.g. the impact of disease-behaviour interactions, and economic events in the system).
Funding: Canada Research Chairs Program
Key Collaborators: Dr. David Kelton and Dr. Karen Hand (University of Guelph), and J. Reilly Comper (PhD student)