Spatial interaction models for the spread of species and diseases
This is a cross-section event in the Department of Biology.
The movement of organisms—whether invasive species colonizing new habitats or pathogens spreading through host populations—is governed by spatial processes that shape patterns of emergence, persistence, and control. In this talk, I will introduce spatial interaction models that describe how species and diseases spread across landscapes. These models incorporate dispersal, environmental heterogeneity, and host or vector dynamics to capture key mechanisms driving spatial spread. Special attention will be given to the role of long-distance dispersal, heterogeneous connectivity, and stochasticity in shaping invasion fronts and outbreak dynamics. Through case studies, I will illustrate how spatial interaction models provide insights into species invasions, emerging infectious diseases, and strategies for containment and mitigation.
Bio-Sketch of speaker: John Drake is a Regents Professor of Ecology at the Odum School of Ecology and Director of the Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases (CEID) at the University of Georgia. His research combines mathematical modeling and data analysis to study the dynamics of zoonotic diseases, the macroecology of emerging infections, and the interdisciplinary integration of social, natural, and mathematical sciences. He has applied spatial interaction and compartmental models to a wide range of systems, including the spread of White-nose syndrome in North American bats, the 2013–2015 West African Ebola epidemic, the evolutionary dynamics of influenza, and the early transmission patterns of COVID-19. His current research focuses on understanding the global forces driving disease emergence and advancing infectious disease intelligence—leveraging real-time data to inform decision-making for individuals, institutions, and policymakers during outbreaks of emerging pathogens.
Date:
2 June 2025, 15:00
Venue:
Biology Mansfield Road, 11a Mansfield Road OX1 3SZ
Venue Details:
Biology building 11a Mansfield Road, OX1 3SZ, Seminar room
Speaker:
John M Drake (University of Georgia/USA)
Organiser contact email address:
andrea.kastner@biology.ox.ac.uk
Hosts:
Sunetra Gupta (University of Oxford),
Tim Coulson (University of Oxford)
Booking required?:
Not required
Audience:
Members of the University only
Editor:
Andrea Kastner
