Abby graduated from the University of Sheffield in July 2020 with an MMath degree, where she found her interest for biological applications in mathematics. Throughout her time at Sheffield she participated in multiple research projects in this field. These include summer research projects on host-parasite dynamics and evolution, and the optimisation of  neuroblastoma treatment with the Insigneo Institute for in silico medicine.  Her dissertation project was on the modelling of stem cell pluripotency and differentiation. Her current PhD research focusses on incorporating spatial and demographic features into ecological and epidemiological models. Outside of research, Abby enjoys reading, hiking and travelling.

Research project title:
Eco-epidemiological dynamics in populations with spatial and demographic structure

Supervisor(s):
Ben Adams, Sarah Penington

Project description:
Abby’s research primarily aims to develop population dynamics models which account for stochastic effects at a household scale. In her first PhD project, Abby explored the impact of household and neighbourhood structures on epidemic outcome. More recently, her work has focused on exploring ecological aspects (that concern spatial structure) of vector-borne diseases. She has developed and analysed models for household scale Wolbachia release strategies into a resident mosquito population. The release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes is an innovative strategy used to control mosquito populations in order to mitigate mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue. In her final PhD project Abby will investigate integrated tick management strategies in fragmented peridomestic environments. Ticks can transmit harmful pathogens  to humans and other animals that cause diseases such as Lyme disease.

Fun fact(s):
I’ve climbed Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) in Wales at least 20 times.

Visit Abby’s website:
https://people.bath.ac.uk/ahb48/