Program Overview

Motivation

SNT is here to stay: many NMCPs have found it useful and are continuing to embrace it and further develop it for their analytical needs. Since 2019, multiple individuals have supported the analysis portions of SNT. In most cases, individuals have built their own code in a variety of languages (Stata, R, and Python), sometimes building on others’ previous code and sometimes re-developed independently.

As SNT matures, more quality assurance is needed such that NMCPs can be confident that the analysis they use to inform their decisions is of high quality regardless of the individual supporting analyst. The continued rollout of SNT also means that analysis can become more efficient if analysts are better able to build on each other’s work rather than tempted to reinvent what has already been developed. Lastly, SNT analysis can become much more accessible if there is a common resource available to help those with intermediate coding skills quickly access the collective knowledge of the SNT analyst community.

Objectives

We will build a code library for SNT analysis to::

1. Retained within Sub-Saharan Africa
2. Training the next generation of modelers
3. Working closely with local malaria control programs to provide operational support
4. Competitive in obtaining grants from international funding agencies
5. Closely networked with each other across Africa and with international partners

To help achieve this goal, Northwestern University’s malaria modeling team is offering an 18-week intensive in-person training program in applied malaria modeling for Sub-Saharan African mathematical modeling faculty - with or without public health backgrounds - tailored to their experience and needs.

Training is focused on applied modeling with EMOD, an open-source malaria transmission modeling software that is currently used to support malaria programs. Participants will design their own research question and focal training project using EMOD that will form the basis of a Specific Aims page (grant proposal summary page) to be developed during the program.

Program Highlights

Multi-modal training in applied malaria modeling

Hands-on tutorials and exercises focused on model configuration and analysis, supplemented by lectures and journal clubs, to enable participants to independently carry out their focal projects. Participants will run models using Northwestern’s high performance computing cluster.

Training in written and oral scientific communication

Iterative revisions of draft documents and oral presentations, with feedback from program director, peers, and other Northwestern modelers.

  • Project Specific Aims page
  • NIH-Style Investigator “Biosketch”
  • 3 Research Talks (Project Proposal, Work-in-Progress, and Final Presentation)
Dedicated mentorship

Weekly 1-on-1 meetings with program director and an assigned partner from Northwestern’s team of modelers.

Building connections with a global community of malaria modelers
  • Join and participation in the Applied Malaria Modeling Network (AMMnet)
  • Connect with faculty enrichment program alumni
  • Attend the American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene (ASTMH) 2023 Annual Meeting in Chicago, and the AMMnet Pre-ASTMH Modeling Meeting
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