Modeling Malaria at Multiple Scales: Implications for Parasite Diversity
Olivia Prosper Feldman, University of Tennessee
AWM-MAA Etta Zuber Falconer Lecture

Thursday, August 7
MAA MathFest 2025

Abstract: Malaria remains a major global health challenge, driven by the complex interactions between parasites, their human and mosquito hosts, and the environments they inhabit. Since the pioneering work of Sir Ronald Ross and George Macdonald in the early to mid-20th century, mathematical modeling has provided invaluable insights into malaria transmission, from within-host parasite dynamics to population-level epidemiology. More recently, research has focused on how these scales interact, shaping transmission patterns and informing control strategies.

In this talk, I will introduce an individual-based model that integrates within-mosquito and within-human parasite dynamics with population-level transmission. This model also tracks the genetic signatures of parasites, offering insights into how genetic diversity emerges, spreads, and interacts with human immunity and antimalarial treatment. By bridging multiple scales, this approach aims to deepen our understanding of malaria transmission and inform more effective intervention strategies.

Biography: Dr. Olivia (Prosper) Feldman is an Associate Professor of Mathematics whose research sits at the intersection of mathematics and biology, with a particular focus on infectious disease modeling. She earned her Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Florida in 2012, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Dartmouth College and an assistant professorship at the University of Kentucky. Currently at the University of Tennessee, Dr. Feldman has received numerous accolades, including an NSF CAREER award, the Intercollegiate Biomathematics Alliance Excellence in Research award, and the university’s Professional Promise in Research & Creative Achievement award.

Her research explores the complex dynamics of infectious diseases, using mathematical modeling to understand how heterogeneities influence disease spread and control measures. Her work spans multiple scales, from within-host parasite dynamics to population-level transmission, with applications in vector-borne diseases such as malaria. Recent projects investigate the role of economics in disease transmission, the spread of drug-resistant pathogens, the evolution of parasite diversity within vectors, and the impact of immunity on disease prevalence. Dr. Feldman is also advancing methodologies to enhance the identifiability of epidemiological models, strengthening their predictive power for public health interventions. Through her interdisciplinary approach, Dr. Feldman continues to advance mathematical epidemiology, providing critical insights into disease dynamics and informing strategies for disease control.