I am an epidemiologist who uses data analytics to prevent outbreaks and solve challenges in epidemiology. My primary interests are on how we can better use surveillance to understand dynamics, with a long-term focus on polio eradication. I am the co-Director of the Centre for Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases (CMMID), with Seb Funk. 

My research team are the modelling partners of Unicef within the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. We carry out analysis and modelling to better understand epidemiology and inform policy decisions. Current collaborations involve close interaction with the WHO, BMGF and UNICEF to support the final stages of polio eradication such as understanding the effectiveness of vaccination campaigns and developing suitable strategies for response to vaccine-derived polioviruses. I am a member of the polio SAGE at WHO.

More recently, several projects have been initiated in wastewater surveillance. As part of an ongoing project, funded by the BMGF, I am part of a consortia where multi-pathogen wastewater surveillance in South Africa is being evaluated. Previous projects include a secondment to UKHSA to support analysis of wastewater data, and an engagement project on analytics development. Additional collaborative grants starting in 2025 include the HPRU in Climate Health and Security where I am the Theme 2 ("Infectious Disease") lead (link to previous HPRU) and the HPRU in Health Analytics and Modelling (link to previous HPRU). Both continue my collaborations with UKHSA.

For my own Publications please see my regularly updated Google Scholar profile. I have highlighted several recent publications at the bottom of this page. Central to application of analytics and mathematical modelling is statistical inference. I previously held a MRC funded methodology research fellowship (2012-2016) which included development of my knowledge of statistics through an MSc in Applied Statistics (Oxford). I continue to develop these important skills through membership of the Royal Statistical Society and “learning by doing”.  

I have recently had several PhD students complete their studies and they have moved onto working for the WHO and MSF, among other international organisations. I regularly supervise MSc and MPH students and have co-authored papers with several students. Getting everyone interested in science is very important to me and I regularly visit schools as part of the Inspire Initiative.