Summary: The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the value of mathematical models in the fight against infectious diseases, with many governments regularly reporting on the predictions of their modelling teams. Mathematical epidemiology, the discipline codifying these approaches, has a long history. Daniel Bernoulli formulated a model for smallpox inoculation in 1760. However, the real emergence came with Ross, Kermack and McKendrick in the early twentieth century. Since then, mathematical epidemiology has blossomed into a very active field of research, involving not only theoretical work on models but also, as evidenced by COVID-19, in actual policy making. In this workshop, we will take a brief tour of mathematical epidemiology and bioinformatics. 

Mathematical epidemiology: We will start with the basic theory, building on the so-called Kermarck-McKendrick model that provides the framework for most advanced models. We will then consider two natural expansions of basic models: multi-group models, which consider the role of heterogeneity of individuals within a population, and meta-population models, which consider the role of the spatial nature of population distribution. Then, we will investigate the (important) role of stochasticity in models through two different approaches, one amenable to mathematical analysis and the other focused on simulations. Topics will be motivated by real-world epidemic data and tutorials will cover model formulation, analysis, and simulation. A special emphasis will be made on computation, a crucial technological tool in research.

Bioinformatics: Participants will be introduced to the world on bioinformatics. Lab sessions will be conducted as applications on real existing genomics data.

Host: Department of Mathematics, College of the Natural Sciences, Arba Minch University.

Invited lecturers: 

• Prof Julien Arino (University of Manitoba, Canada)

• Dr Peter Olukanmi (University of Johannesburg, South Africa)

• Prof Patrick M Tchepmo Djomegni (North-West University, South Africa)

Registration deadline: 31 October 2023

Contact: 

• Endelkachew Teshome (endalkachewteshome83@yahoo.com)

• Patrick M Tchepmo Djomegni (Patrick.TchepmoDjomegni@nwu.ac.za)

Organizing Committee:

• Endelkachew Teshome (Arba Minch University, Ethiopia) – Chair

• Patrick M Tchepmo Djomegni (North-West University, South Africa)

• Wubetea Adigo Truneh (Arba Minch University, Ethiopia)

Scientific Committee::

• Mulugeta Habte Melesse (Arba Minch University, Ethiopia) – Chair

• Legesse Lemecha (Adama Science and Technology University, Ethiopia)

• Mihaja Ramanantoanina (University of Pretoria, South Africa)

• Endalkachew Teshome (HoD, Arba Minch University, Ethiopia)

• Patrick Tchepmo Djomegni (North-West University, South Africa)

• Wubetea Adigo Truneh (Arba Minch University, Ethiopia)