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Infectious Insights: Data, Mathematics, and Preventing the Next Pandemic

Climate + Environment, 2023, PFL 2023-2024, President's Faculty Lectures, Education + Research, Health, Engage in Global Challenges, Make a Difference for B.C.

The pandemic brought math and data into the public eye, with herd immunity and flattening curves. But what can we know about a new infectious disease? What key data can tell us what we’re facing? How can new technologies illuminate the spread and evolution of a possible pandemic, and show us what we might do to prevent it?

On November 29th, 2023 I showcased how new data and mathematics are setting the stage for preventing pandemics and consider why the world needs public data about infectious diseases and their evolution.

-Dr. Caroline Colijn

Wed, 29 Nov 2023

In-Person and Online Event

Fletcher Challenge Canada Theatre (Room 1900)

SFU Vancouver

515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3

The President's Faculty Lectures

The President’s Faculty Lectures shine a light on the research excellence at Simon Fraser University. Hosted by SFU President Joy Johnson, these free public lectures celebrate cutting-edge research and researchers that engage with communities and mobilize knowledge to make real-world impacts.

The theme of this year’s lectures is Making a Difference for B.C. Approaching this theme from a variety of disciplines, each short lecture will be followed by a conversation with Joy Johnson and an audience Q&A session.  

Save the date for more upcoming President's Faculty Lectures!

  • February 13, 2024: Victoria E. Thomas – Assistant Professor, School of Communication
  • March 12, 2024: Wenona Hall – Associate Professor, Department of Indigenous Studies
  • April 30, 2024: Bohdan Nosyk - Professor, St. Paul's Hospital CANFAR Chair in HIV/AIDS Research, Faculty of Health Sciences

Caroline Colijn

Dr. Caroline Colijn's work is at the interface of mathematics and the epidemiology and evolution of pathogens. She holds a Canada 150 Research Chair in Mathematics for Evolution, Infection and Public Health. In her group, they develop mathematical tools connecting sequence data to the ecology and evolution of infections. Dr. Colijn also has a long-standing interest in the dynamics of diverse interacting pathogens. For example, how does the interplay between co-infection, competition and selection drive the development of antimicrobial resistance? To answer these questions, her group is building new approaches to analyzing and comparing phylogenetic trees derived from sequence data, studying tree space and branching processes, and developing ecological and epidemiological models with diversity in mind.

Video

Accessibility

In-Person Accessibility

Please note that the event took place at the Fletcher Challenge Canada Theatre (Room 1900) located at the SFU Vancouver Campus (515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3).

SFU Vancouver is accessible by bus and car. Visit the Translink website for routes and schedules.

Visit the SFU Vancouver website to learn more.

There will be signage and staff directing attendees to the lecture room. 

Community guidelines

Our community guidelines are intended to ensure the safety of all guest speakers and event participants, and to foster honest, socially accountable dialogue at our events. Thank you for respecting these guidelines!

  • Above all, there will be zero tolerance for those who promote violence or discrimination against others on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, age, or disability. Anyone who incites harm towards other participants (whether through chat, video, audio or otherwise) will be removed at the discretion of our technical team and moderator.
  • Don’t assume pronouns/gender/knowledge based on someone’s name or appearance. Please refer to people using the usernames and/or pronouns they provide.
  • Take space, make space: share your perspective, and make space for other voices to be heard too. Recognize that we are all here to learn.

Past President's Faculty Lectures

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