Genome, Evolution and Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Department of Epidemiology Seminar

Speaker:

Bill Hanage, PhD
Associate Professor
Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics
Department of Epidemiology
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Abstract: Over the last decade genomics has transformed infectious disease epidemiology. Not only can we use genomes to reconstruct chains of transmission and the history of a pathogen, they can also track evolution as it happens in real time in response to clinical interventions. In this talk I will show examples of how evolution and genomics can be used for epidemiology, from understanding how bacteria gain and lose antibiotic resistance to how a novel pandemic pathogen responds to population-scale immunity, and ultimately how we can use genomically-informed models to forecast the future evolution of pathogens. By understanding these fundamental elements of pathogens and their biology, we can improve our ability to anticipate and respond to the challenges they continue to present.

Bio: Bill Hanage is an Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Co-Director of the Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics at Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. His research and teaching focus on the epidemiology of infectious disease and the evolution of infectious agents. He received his PhD from Imperial College London. Hanage has made seminal contributions to the study of diverse pathogens, both bacteria and viruses, and has a special interest in evolution in response to interventions such as vaccination or antimicrobials. His awards include the Fleming Prize from the Microbiology Society and a young investigator award from the American Society for Microbiology. He has published more than 200 scientific articles and book chapters and is a regular contributor to popular media aiming to improve public understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and other infectious diseases.