The Models of Infectious Disease Agent Study (MIDAS) Coordination Center: Supporting a Community of Infectious Disease Modeling Researchers

Abstract: Since 2004, the Models of Infectious Disease Agent Study (MIDAS) has been an NIGMS-supported community of researchers focused on the development and evaluation of mathematical techniques for modeling outbreaks of infectious diseases. The MIDAS Coordination Center (midasnetwork.us) was established in 2019, when MIDAS transitioned from a small group of researchers funded through specific programs to a community open to anyone working in the field. The Center's mission is "to advance science to improve global preparedness and response against infectious disease threats through research, training, promotion, and service." Throughout the height of the COVID-19 emergency and since, the MIDAS Coordination Center has curated data, supported community efforts such as the COVID-19 Scenario Modeling Hub, coordinated working groups, hosted events including a webinar and annual meetings, and conducted research into the application of data science principles to infectious disease modeling. Updates on these and related efforts will be provided, along with comments on challenges associated with research community coordination. Bio: Harry Hochheiser, PhD is Professor in the Department of Biomedical Informatics at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Medicine. He holds appointments in Pitt's Intelligent Systems Program, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, and UPMC Cancer Center. He is also director of Pitt's Biomedical Informatics and Artificial Intelligence Training Program. Dr. Hochheiser's research program focuses on making clinical and public health information more useful and comprehensible, through research projects funded by the NCI, NINDS, and NIGMS. Location: Hock Plaza - Room #214 (CRTP Classroom) Zoom: https://duke.zoom.us/j/98485317684 Meeting ID: 984 8531 7684 ---- This seminar series is organized by the Center of Multiscale Immune Systems Modeling (MISM), funded by NIAID/NIH (U54AI191253).