"Spatial interaction models for the spread of species and diseases".
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.
Date: 2 June 2025, 15:00
Venue: Biology Mansfield Road, 11a Mansfield Road OX1 3SZ
Venue Details: Seminar Room
Speaker: Professor John Drake (University of Georgia)
Organising department: Department of Biology
Organisers: Annabel Halfhead (University of Oxford), Andrea Kastner (Department of Zoology)
Organiser contact email address: andrea.kastner@biology.ox.ac.uk
Hosts: Prof Sunetra Gupta (Department of Biology), Professor Tim Coulson (Department of Biology)
Booking required?: Not required
Audience: Members of the University only
Editor: Annabel Halfhead