iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Dr Roz Eggo @rozeggo.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Launch of the Global Society of Infectious Disease Dynamics. 🎉 2 online webinars on Thursday 26th. Do join to see what it's all about, and get involved in the community as it kicks off! www.gsidd.org/post/join-us...

gsidd.org

Join us for the launch event!

We are excited to invite you to the official launch of the Global Society for Infectious Disease Dynamics (GSIDD) on February 26th, 2026.This launch marks an important milestone for our global communi...

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Ewan Colman @ewancolman.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Check out this new paper by Gavrila Puspitarani (with small contribution from me). It’s about networks and the spread of diseases, and Austrian pigs www.cell.com/iscience/ful...

cell.com

Risk of exotic disease introduction and propagation in the Austrian swine trade network

Animal health management; animal science; food animal veterinary medicine; porcine epidemiology

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Rowland Kao @rowlandkao.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

As one of the "we" very pleased to be part of this initiative. Thanks to @helcecilia.bsky.social @paulineezanno.bsky.social and @gaelbn.bsky.social for taking the lead on this one.

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Adam Kucharski @adamjkucharski.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

Results so stunningly clear they inspired this classic xkcd (xkcd.com/2400/):

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iddconf.bsky.social @iddconf.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

Jon Read kicking things off at IDDconf 2025 telling us neat things about contact patterns in England during the COVID pandemic.

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iddconf.bsky.social @iddconf.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

Fab day at IDDconf 2025 We’ve seen a lot of great talks and just before the poster session and reception, Martin Wolfender from @unibe.ch is telling us about forecasting hospital bed use.

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Edinburgh Infectious Diseases @uoe-eid.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

New review shows the need to focus on antibiotic resistance in the environment 🌏🔬 Antibiotic resistance in the environment is not well studied, which may have consequences for human health, according to research. edinburgh-infectious-diseases.ed.ac.uk/news/latest-...

edinburgh-infectious-diseases.ed.ac.uk

New review shows the need to focus on antibiotic resistance in the environment | Edinburgh Infectious Diseases | Edinburgh Infectious Diseases

August 2025: A recent review has found that research into AMR in the environment needs to extend beyond wealhty countries and freshwater settings.

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Becky Smith @rlsdvm.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

9% believe and 39% unsure that the rabies vx causes dog autism?!?! BTW, dog autism isn't a thing.

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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

Really welcome news as a farmer led program working with scientists to vaccinate badgers for TB rather than cull is to start. There is little evidence that culling reduces TB in cows but vaccine trials reduce TB in badgers from 16 down to 0% in prior trial

theguardian.com

Farmers and scientists join forces in Cornwall to vaccinate badgers against TB

The groups have long been at odds over culling of badgers in England as a way to control TB in cattle

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Darryl Mott @gamerstavernshow.com · 01/08/2025

If you want a weird but true fact to talk about: Dexter Holland, lead singer of The Offspring, was instrumental in this. His doctorial thesis in molecular biology was sequencing mRNA in HIV. The paper was also heavily cited in creating the COVID-19 vaccine.

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SpokesLothian @spokes.org.uk · 20/01/2025

#A702 #EasterBush Oct 2024: we objected to zero 🚲 consideration in new planned 3-arm roundabout near @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social campus 👍They are listening! (so far) @edi.bike @chdot.bsky.social @uoe-eid.bsky.social @alow.bsky.social @debbimccall.bsky.social @banks.ac @kirstymcneill.bsky.social

cyclists will now be considered - no details yet

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Chris Banks @banks.ac · 24/12/2024

Merry Christmas! The tradition of spending Christmas Eve at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo continues. Enjoy a few pics...

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Adam Kucharski @adamjkucharski.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

Academic institutions: “We’ve got to maintain a presence on X because that’s where the journ…. oh.”

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Chris Banks @banks.ac · 11/12/2024

"The model leads to insights that may be relevant to other, less fictitious, emergency situations." 🧟‍♀️

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Dr Edward Hill @edmhill.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

📣 #fundedPhD in "Modelling salivo-surveillance for detecting population immunity, transmission dynamics & changes in vaccine effectiveness" #IDsky #EpiSky #PhDSky 🧪 👥 Supervised by @3113n.bsky.social + colleagues at Uni. of Bristol & UKHSA 🗓️ Closes 27 Jan 2025. Interviews Mar 2025. Start Sep 2025.

About the Project.
Vaccination is a highly effective public health intervention that prevents morbidity and mortality. The UK vaccination programme evolves in response to vaccine developments and emerging evidence. This may include the addition of new vaccines, or removal of old vaccines or booster doses. Following a modification to the vaccine schedule, there is a delay before the impact on key indicators such as diagnosed cases, hospital admissions and deaths is observed. This delay hampers the responsiveness of public health action. We are developing saliva-based tests that will facilitate rapid, repeated sampling to measure both carriage of respiratory pathogens and mucosal immunocorrelates, and thus detect changes in population immunity before disease cases present. The aim of these tests is to develop a surveillance programme that will provide an early warning system for lapses in population-level protection and allow for adaptive management of the UK vaccine schedule.

Project aims: The aim of this PhD is to use data analytics, data linkage and mathematical models to inform the use and necessary test characteristics of saliva-based tests for vaccination evaluation. The aims of the project are to:

- Develop transmission models for vaccine-preventable respiratory pathogens (Streptococcus pneumoniae and Respiratory Syncytial Virus) and emerging threats (Group A Streptococcus) in the UK.

- Identify opportunities for early identification of changes in population immunity that would provide a rapid assessment of vaccine effectiveness and coverage.

- Explore the trade-offs involved in detecting population protection.

Methods:
This PhD will use data analysis, statistical and mathematical modelling to inform the use of a rapid and scalable test to measure changes in vaccine coverage and population protection. The methods will involve data analysis, visualisation and code development using software such as R, describing immunological process of transmission mathematically, reviewing and interpreting the literature and working with and maintaining an inter-disciplinary network of collaborators. In year 1, you will work with immunologists to use immunological data to develop data-driven mathematical models of the dynamics of transmission, carriage and infection for respiratory infectious diseases. In year 2, you will design models that link vaccination, disease transmission, carriage and healthcare usage. In year 3, you will explore the impact of changes to the vaccine schedule on population immunity and subsequently invasive disease and determine the necessary test uptake and characteristics needed to provide an early indication of changes to population immunity. There will be scope for the successful candidate to shape the research.

Supervisors: Professor Ellen Brooks-Pollock, Dr Anu Goenka, Dr Mary Ramsay (UKHSA) & Dr Bassam Hallis (UKHSA).

Advisory team: Dr Rajeka Lazarus, Dr Clare French, Dr Amy Thomas, Dr Leon Danon, Dr Alice Halliday.

Candidate requirements: This is a unique opportunity for a quantitative scientist to join a multi-disciplinary team and work closely with clinicians, lab scientists and policymakers. Applications are sought from high performing individuals who have, or are expected to obtain, at least a 2.1 degree (or equivalent) in a quantitative subject (e.g. maths, statistics, physics, computer science, biological sciences) together with an interest in public health and multi-disciplinary research. Possession of a relevant Master's degree or research experience would be advantageous but is not required.

We welcome applications from those with non-standard qualifications who can demonstrate knowledge, experience and skills developed in the workplace, or elsewhere, relevant to the programme of study.

How to apply: When applying, candidates must search for and select the ‘Population Health Sciences PhD’ programme and enter supervisor names as listed under the project title for which they are applying. Please state Health Protection Research Unit in Evaluation and Behavioural Science in the funding box. Full details on what to include in your application can be found in the Admissions Statement.

Personal statement: Please provide a personal statement that describes your training and experience so far, your motivation for doing a PhD, your motivations for applying to the University of Bristol, and why you think we should select you. We are keen to support applicants from minority and under-represented backgrounds (based on protected characteristics) and those who have experienced other challenges or disadvantages. We encourage you to use your personal statement to ensure we can take these factors into account.

Funding Notes: The studentship is fully funded by Health Protection Research Unit in Evaluation and Behavioural Science (HPRU-EBS) for three years. The funding covers tuition fees for home students and a stipend at the UKRI rate (£19,237 in 2024/2025).

Overseas students are very welcome to apply, please include in your application if you are able pay the difference between the home and overseas fees. If you are unable to cover these costs, we can look into other options to cover these.

Deadline: Applications for this project will close at 16:00 GMT on Monday 27th January 2025. Interviews will be in March 2025 . The anticipated start date is September 2025.

Contact: If you have questions about the project, please contact the supervisors. If you need help with your application, contact admissions at fohs-pgadmissions@bristol.ac.uk.

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Dr Roz Eggo @rozeggo.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

Finishing 2024 on a high note: delighted to be appointed Professor at LSHTM. Thanks to many many people for support & advice along the way. 🙏 Looking forward to more exciting research, collaborations with amazing scientists, work with my fantastic team & PPIE colleagues. Exciting times ahead! 🎉

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NetScience @netscience.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Latest out: Real-time estimates of the emergence and dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern: A modeling approach. Great collaboration with Nicolo Gozzi @mattk7.bsky.social @jessica-davis.bsky.social Kunpeng Mu Ana Pastore Marco Ajelli @alexvespi.bsky.social www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

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Tiago Peixoto @tiago.skewed.de · 02/12/2024

Good news everyone! A new version of graph-tool is just out! @graph-tool.skewed.de graph-tool.skewed.de Graph-tool is a comprehensive and efficient Python library to work with networks, including structural, dynamical, and statistical algorithms, as well as visualization. 1/N #networkscience

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NetSci 2026 @netsciconf.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

There's only one week left to submit your abstracts to #NetSci2025

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Edinburgh Infectious Diseases @uoe-eid.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

⭐MONTHLY RESEARCH FOCUS⭐ Every month we highlight new publications from across the network. This month we are delving into cleaning practices of livestock vehicles, behaviours of fruit flies and lots of new COVID-19 discoveries Full article⤵️ edinburgh-infectious-diseases.ed.ac.uk/news-and-eve...

edinburgh-infectious-diseases.ed.ac.uk

Research Focus: From the cleaning practices of livestock transport vehicles to behaviour in fruit flies

December 2024: A collection of publication highlights from Edinburgh Infectious Diseases over the past month.

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Edinburgh Infectious Diseases @uoe-eid.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

Delighted to see EID executive committee member #KatieAtkins recognised with the Chancellor's Rising Star Award for her exceptional contributions to infectious disease modelling - many congratulations!! usher.ed.ac.uk/news-events/... #usherinstitute #edinburghuni

usher.ed.ac.uk

Katie Atkins honoured with Chancellor’s Rising Star Award

Katie Atkins receives Chancellor’s Rising Star Award for her exceptional contributions to infectious disease modelling and research-led education.

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National Trust @nationaltrust.org.uk · 29/11/2024

Over a year since its illegal felling, we're making sure the legacy of the Sycamore Gap tree lives on 🌳 When the Sycamore Gap tree was felled last September, we recovered 49 saplings from its roots as part of our 'Trees of Hope' initiative - one to represent each foot in height of the tree.

Sycamore Gap seedlings at the National Trust Plant Conservation Centre.

Photo credits - James Dobson

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Edinburgh Infectious Diseases @uoe-eid.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

⭐NEW PUBLICATION⭐ Modelling plausible scenarios for the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant from early-stage surveillance @banks.ac @rowlandkao.bsky.social Read the full publication below ⤵️ pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39571488/

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Adam Kucharski @adamjkucharski.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

New post on some preliminary – but troubling – signals about the direction H5N1 might be taking: kucharski.substack.com/p/h5n1-influ...

kucharski.substack.com

H5N1 influenza: some troubling preliminary signals

A few data sources to keep an eye on

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Dr Edward Hill @edmhill.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Starter pack of researchers linked to JUNIPER (Joint UNIversities Pandemic & Epidemiological Research). JUNIPER (maths.org/juniper/) is a collaborative network of researchers who work at interface between modelling, infectious disease control & health policy. #IDSky #EpiSky 🧪 go.bsky.app/Mxh96pG

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British Cycling @britishcycling.org.uk · 23/11/2024

✅ Perfection from Perrett ✅ Richo is rapid ✅ Katie at the double ✅ Emma wins in rainbows Some start for the Brits at the UCI Track Champions League! #CyclingBlueSky

Will Perrett points to the sky with both fingers as he celebrates his elimination race win

Matty Richardson does a ‘number one’ signal with his finger after winning the men’s keirin and sprint

Katie Archibald raises her hands in the air to celebrate her win

Emma Finucane, in her rainbow jersey, waves to the crowd following her women’s sprint win

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Our World in Data @ourworldindata.org · 21/11/2024

We've just made it much easier to reuse the data on Our World in Data! Check out our two new features: enhanced data downloads and the Chart Data API — both accessible for every one of our charts via the data download button in the lower right corner.

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Simon Cauchemez @scauchemez.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

Infectious Disease Modelling starter pack update! First pack is full so I created a second one. Pls keep on sending suggestions! (bio should contain experience relevant for this pack) IDModelling pack 1: go.bsky.app/86Ao1a5 IDModelling pack 2 : go.bsky.app/2oBB7KX

go.bsky.app

Infectious Disease Modelling #IDModelling

Join the conversation

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Zeb @zebm.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

Derivation from first principles of the standard SIR model (when averaged) stochanswers.com/education/ep...

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Edinburgh Infectious Diseases @uoe-eid.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

Welcome to our brand new Blue Sky page! We are really excited to be here to engage with our network in friendly, informative and productive ways! Join us 😊

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Chris Banks @banks.ac · 21/11/2024

My first introduction to programming was BASIC on the Commodore VIC-20. Sad to hear Thomas Kurtz, co-creator of BASIC has died. "BASIC co-creator Thomas Kurtz hits END at 96" theregister.com/2024/11/20/r... via @theregister.com

theregister.com

BASIC co-creator Thomas Kurtz hits END at 96

Pioneering Dartmouth College mathematician died last week

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Chris Banks @banks.ac · 21/11/2024

For me the best key insight of this paper was that we could take an existing large and complex model and fit it, using relatively simple means, to a new and emerging situation. It worked well and gave rapid insight into the emerging variant outbreak. #IDModelling

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Chris Banks @banks.ac · 21/11/2024

Finally! 🎉 Our last paper on the early dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron outbreak in Scotland is now published in Epidemics! Read it here: doi.org/10.1016/j.ep... #SARSCoV2 #Omicron #PublicHealth #IDSky #EpiSky

Modelling plausible scenarios for the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant from early-stage surveillance. Epidemics 2024.

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Our World in Data @ourworldindata.org · 19/11/2024

The COVID-19 pandemic is estimated to have killed more than 25 million people. It caused grief and suffering among their loved ones, impacted people's health worldwide, & disrupted work & lifestyles. We look back with 17 key charts: ourworldindata.org/key-charts-under…

ourworldindata.org

17 key charts to understand the COVID-19 pandemic

The pandemic has resulted in over twenty million deaths. In this article, we review the key insights from global data on COVID-19.

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Sam Scarpino @scarpino.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

Looking to follow scientists modeling contagion dynamics? I’ve created the grotesquely incomplete starter pack for you! Follow and point out the gaps (especially if they involve you : ) go.bsky.app/HwpNqZQ

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Alex Selby-Boothroyd @alexselbyb.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

Day 18 #30DayMapChallenge I 3D-printed John Snow's 1854 cholera map of Soho. It took ages.

3D-printed map of Soho in 1854. Black marks on top of the buildings represent deaths from cholera caused by infected water from the Broad Street Pump (note the missing handle!). Top-down view.

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Simon Cauchemez @scauchemez.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

Infectious Disease Modelling starter pack update! Many more colleagues have joined since last post so have a look at update to welcome them. Suggestions welcome! (bio should contain experience relevant for this pack) go.bsky.app/86Ao1a5

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Chris Boardman CBE @chrisboardman.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

Switching just 1 trip a day from 🚗 to 🚴 or 🚶‍♂️ = almost 30% less transport CO2 for the ave UK urban resident. If 1 in 5 did this in 🇪🇺 it’d cut emissions from all 🚗 travel in 🇪🇺 by 8%. The potential impact of active travel on CO2 could be huge

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