USA
Prof. Michael Turelli
Department of Evolution and Ecology and Center for Population Biology, University of California, Davis, USA.
Michael Turelli has collaborated with Ary Hoffmann on the population dynamics and evolution of Wolbachia in California populations of D. simulans since 1985. He has produced a wide range of mathematical analyses that have elucidated both the population dynamics of infection frequencies and the coevolutionary trajectories of Wolbachia and their hosts. He will work with Hoffmann’s group and with Nick Barton to understand experimentally and mathematically the consequences of life-shortening Wolbachia for the dynamics of Wolbachia and dengue infection frequencies within and among populations.
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Prof. Alun Lloyd
Department of Mathematics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, USA
Alun Lloyd uses mathematical models and statistical analyses to understand the transmission of infectious diseases. He is using mathematical models to describe the spread of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes following their release, and is also developing models to help understand the epidemiological impact of Wolbachia-based population replacement strategies on dengue transmission.
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Dr Zhiyong Xi
Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA
Zhiyong Xi’s research focuses on the interactions between dengue viruses and Wolbachia in mosquitoes. In the Eliminate Dengue Program Zhiyong’s research is focused on the development of dengue resistant Wolbachia transinfected Aedes albopictus lines, which may form the basis of a Wolbachia strategy to reduce the dengue transmission in areas where Ae. albopictus is the dominant vector species.
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