Research Steven Abrams

Abstract

StatUa was recognized and funded as a core facility of the University of Antwerp in 2009, with the mission to facilitate scientific research at UAntwerp via statistical and methodological support of researchers. Following positive evaluations, this recognition was renewed twice: in 2011 for the period 2012-2016 and in 2016, for the period 2017-2021. In virtually all fields of research, the importance of proper methodological setup and state-of-the-art statistical analysis is increasing. Since its recognition, StatUa has assisted researchers from all faculties from UAntwerp. This resulted in co-autorship of a StatUa collaborator in over 200 internationally peer-reviewed publications. Moreover, these publications only represent a fraction of all research projects to which StatUa has contributed. Apart from direct support to individual researchers, StatUa has a close collaboration with Antwerp Doctoral School for teaching statistics and methodology to doctoral students, through short courses and hands-on practical sessions. Within the UAntwerp, StatUa is an important and well-known point of contact for researchers with statistical and methodological questions. The primary focus of this proposal is to renew the recognition of StatUa as a core facility, to continue our statistical and methodological support of the researchers at UAntwerp.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Abrams Steven
• Co-promoter: Fransen Erik
• Co-promoter: Kampen Jarl
• Co-promoter: Roelant Ella
• Co-promoter: Verdonck Tim

Research team(s)

• Global Health Institute (GHI)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The aim of this research project is the development of new advanced, state-of-the-art methodology for epidemiologists, mathematical modellers and biostatisticians interested in modelling vector-borne infectious disease transmission. More specifically, we focus on the estimation of age- and time-dependent epidemiological malaria parameters, correcting for other attribute data, governing the spread and transmission of malaria. In addition, interest is in the identification of key individuals responsible for sustained malaria transmission in low transmission settings. Based on social network analysis techniques, we aim at gaining insights relevant for the development of malaria elimination strategies. In conclusion, the main objectives in this proposal are (1) the development of novel methodology to integrate mathematical and statistical models to estimate time- and age-varying malaria epidemiological parameters in the presence of unobserved heterogeneity; (2) the development of approaches to deal with doubly interval censored observations in combination with outcome-dependent sampling and heterogeneity; and (3) the study of heterogeneity in household conditions and individual attribute data using social network data. Although special attention is directed to malaria, the methodology developed in this project is more widely applicable in the context of vector-borne infections in both human and animal populations.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Abrams Steven
• Co-promoter: Hens Niel
• Fellow: Grosso Alessandro

Research team(s)

• Global Health Institute (GHI)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

UC Leuven This course offers a profound training of 6 weeks on the basic principles and methods of epidemiology. An in-depth study of medical statistics with appropriate statistical methods will be integrated with the main epidemiological content. Basic principles of qualitative methods will be explained. Introductory lectures on systematic reviews, health economics and cost-effectiveness are programmed. Throughout the whole course, each participant will have the opportunity to work with his/her own data set (or from the organisers if not available) under the guidance of experienced tutors. Each participant will receive a reader including necessary didactic materials (handouts, power point slides, articles, etc.). To offer a profound training of six weeks in research methods - on the basic principles and methods of epidemiology. - An in-depth study of medical statistics with appropriate statistical methods integrated in the main epidemiological content. - Basic principles of qualitatve methods - Introductory lectures on systematic reviews, health economics and cost-efectiveness

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van geertruyden Jean-Pierre
• Co-promoter: Abrams Steven
• Co-promoter: Anthierens Sibyl

Research team(s)

• Global Health Institute (GHI)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Over the following months Belgian society will be asked to adapt its behavior in order to keep the COVID-19 outbreak under control and not to jeopardise our healthcare system. This calls for an expertbased policy that is supported by accurate medium-term model forecasts on the further COVID-19 progression to assess the impacts of possible control and containment measures. For that purpose, we will start from established population-based SEIR-models and extend these to account for age- and space-dependent disease dynamics, the stochasticity intrinsic to disease spread and hospital bed capacity. These extended models will be complemented with a socioeconomic model to quantify the effects of measures on consumption, labor supply and economic activity. Finally, a controller will be developed that interacts with the aforementioned models to identify the optimal set of control and mitigation measures. The extended and holistic SEIR modeling framework offers a solid basis for providing Belgian healthcare institutions and policy makers with more accurate predictions. Currently, the consortium already provides short-term forecasts to policy makers, and hence it has all connections and simple models in place to guarantee a swift delivery of improved tools.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Abrams Steven

Research team(s)

• Global Health Institute (GHI)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project represents a research contract awarded by the University of Antwerp. The supervisor provides the Antwerp University research mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions stipulated by the university.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Abrams Steven
• Promoter: Weyler Joost

Research team(s)

• Social Epidemiology & Health Policy (SEHPO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project