Models/Projects

Job Highlights Conduct health economics modelling projects Experience collecting and analysing data Experience with developing mathematical model in R Background: This post is based at the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU) in Bangkok. MORU, established in 1979 as a research collaboration between Mahidol University (Thailand), Oxford University (UK) and the UK's Wellcome Trust, the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU). We aim to conduct both basic and apply research that can fill in gaps in knowledge, discover and develop appropriate, affordable interventions that improve the health of people living in resource-limited parts of the world. This position is located within MORU’s Mathematical And Economic MODelling (MAEMOD). This position will have a role supporting the MAEMOD team to conduct health economic analyses and economic modelling to evaluate intervention strategies. Responsibilities: The primary role of the post-holder will be to conduct health economics and infectious disease modelling projects including; Design, conduct, and interpret health economics studies using a variety of methods based on the available data and question(s) of interest Collaborate, engage, and coordinate with relevant groups to complete the assigned projects Effectively manage projects in order to deliver projects within established time frames Prepare professional research reports, papers and presentations suited to a wide variety of audiences including publication in scholar journals Performs tasks as required by the supervisor Skill and Qualifications: Master’s degree or PhD-candidate in Public Health, Public Policy, Health Economics, Operational Research, Applied Mathematics or advanced degree in a field of study relevant to the ...
Read more

Malaria is a serious tropical disease that causes thousands of deaths every year, yet it is both treatable and preventable. Many countries are currently in the process of trying to rid themselves of this deadly disease. Cambodia is one such country, and Pengby Ngor, a young Cambodian scientist and a member of TDMODNET is at the forefront of this work. He works for the Cambodian National Malaria Center (CNM), based in Cambodia’s capital city, Phnom Penh. His smartphone app can allow health facility staff and VMWs to send malaria data to the national program in real time. The smartphone app and the VMW scheme are exactly the kinds of novel approaches to community health that are needed to assist Cambodian scientists and health workers in monitoring outbreaks of malaria, information which is essential if the country is to successfully eliminate the disease. Read more: https://scienterrificgroup.com/2018/12/29/using-smartphone-technology-to-fight-malaria/ ...
Read more

Malar J. 2017 Nov 28;16(1):483. doi: 10.1186/s12936-017-2130-3. Tun STT1, von Seidlein L2,3, Pongvongsa T4, Mayxay M3,5,6, Saralamba S2, Kyaw SS2, Chanthavilay P6,7, Celhay O2, Nguyen TD8, Tran TN8, Parker DM9, Boni MF3,8,10, Dondorp AM2,3, White LJ2,3. BACKGROUND: The number of Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases around the world has decreased substantially over the last 15 years, but with the spread of resistance against anti-malarial drugs and insecticides, this decline may not continue. There is an urgent need to consider alternative, accelerated strategies to eliminate malaria in countries like Lao PDR, where there are a few remaining endemic areas. A deterministic compartmental modelling tool was used to develop an integrated strategy for P. falciparum elimination in the Savannakhet province of Lao PDR. The model was designed to include key aspects of malaria transmission and integrated control measures, along with a user-friendly interface. RESULTS: Universal coverage was the foundation of the integrated strategy, which took the form of the deployment of community health workers who provided universal access to early diagnosis, treatment and long-lasting insecticidal nets. Acceleration was included as the deployment of three monthly rounds of mass drug administration targeted towards high prevalence villages, with the addition of three monthly doses of the RTS,S vaccine delivered en masse to the same high prevalence sub-population. A booster dose of vaccine was added 1 year later. The surveillance-as-intervention component of the package involved the screening and treatment of individuals entering the simulated population. CONCLUSIONS: In this modelling approach, the sequential introduction of a series of five available interventions in an integrated strategy was predicted to be sufficient to stop malaria ...
Read more