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Modelling and Biostatistics

Modelling is critical for translating data into decision-making evidence. Our modelling guides effective and cost-effective responses to infectious diseases and global health problems.

Group Heads

Associate Professor Nick Scott

About

Our dynamic, interdisciplinary team uses modelling to guide practical, cost-effective responses to infectious diseases and global health problems. We’re at the forefront of modelling across areas including:

COVID-19 and pandemic preparedness
hepatitis C
hepatitis B
HIV
tuberculosis
malaria
nutrition
maternal, newborn and child health
adolescent health
vaccines, health systems and service delivery platforms.

Our methodological approaches are adapted to the data available and key policy questions being addressed, and include a variety of:

deterministic and stochastic models
population-level and agent-based models
compartmental and network models
costing studies
cost-effectiveness analyses
cost-benefit and return on investment analyses
resource optimisation analyses
analyses of large datasets using statistical and machine learning approaches.

Listen now

Learn more about our modelling work in the How Science Matters podcast.

Listen to How Science Matters

Current projects

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Using mathematical models to generate evidence to support Australia’s COVID-19 responses and prepare for future pandemics

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that effective public health responses save lives and reduce socio-economic damage. Modelling has played a critical role in public health decision-making by quantifying the risks and benefits of different policy responses. Burnet Health Modeller Dominic Delport's PhD will utilise mathematical modelling to generate evidence to support public health decision-making during outbreaks and prepare for future pandemics.

Open to students

Hepatitis B modelling

We use mathematical and economic models to inform global efforts to achieving the elimination of hepatitis B as a public health threat.

Improving disease outbreak response time in the Pacific: 7-1-7 tool testing

We're working with partners to see how the 7-1-7 approach can help track and respond to disease outbreaks in the Pacific.

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Past projects

The Optimise Study: Optimising Isolation, Quarantine and Distancing for COVID-19

This project aims to find out how Victorians are experiencing COVID-19 and responding to the measures introduced to stop the spread of the virus.

Transparent risk assessment of COVID-19 quarantine (traQ study)

This study uses a mathematical model to examine the circumstances in which quarantine for COVID-19 could be reduced from 14 days without substantially increasing the risk of virus transmission.

News and features

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Life-saving impact of global vaccine stockpiles

New Burnet research highlights the critical role of global vaccine stockpiles in preventing widespread outbreaks of deadly diseases.

Offering COVID-19 booster vaccinations alongside influenza vaccinations could reduce hospitalisations and deaths

Prison needle programs could save millions

Burnet research shows how prison needle and syringe programs could save treatment costs for hepatitis C and injection-related infections.

Prison needle programs could save double what they cost – our new modelling shows how

Foreign aid cuts could mean 10 million more HIV infections by 2030 – and almost 3 million extra deaths

NHMRC Investigator Grants

Burnet researchers Joshua Vogel and Nick Scott have received funding for projects relating to pre-eclampsia prevention and hepatitis C and HIV elimination.