Partner 17: South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University (SU)
Role, qualification and experience
SACEMA is a national Centre of Excellence established by the South African Department of Science and Technology, mandated to research the modelling of disease transmission and progression, focusing on southern Africa’s major health challenges. The purpose of this modelling is to provide policy makers with a sound scientific basis for policy decisions.
SACEMA works with a network of partner universities and organizations around the country, including in neighbouring countries (Botswana and Zimbabwe) to pursue research in the areas of malaria, trypanosomiasis, TB and HIV. SACEMA also has an agreement in place with the Onderstepoort Veterinarian Institute in South Africa to pursue tsetse and malaria-related research.
Relevant research projects include assessing the impact of synthetic tsetse repellents on trypanosomiasis, analyses of mosquito behaviour, modelling the bait control of tsetse flies, modelling the role of immunity in the spread of malaria, and modelling the population dynamics of tsetse flies.
SACEMA personnel will also be co-chairing the International Congress of Entomology to be held in Durban, South Africa, in July 2008.
Scientific leader
Prof J.W. Hargrove holds a chair in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Stellenbosch. He is an expert in the field of tsetse fly biology and control, applying mathematical analytical and modelling techniques in the field of physiology, behaviour and population dynamics. He is also involved in the analysis and modelling of HIV/AIDS data, particularly developing mathematical adjustments of use in estimating HIV incidence from cross-sectional surveys.
Key personnel
Prof G. Vale is a visiting research fellow at SACEMA and is also an expert in the vectors of trypanosomiasis and malaria.
Dr S. Childs is a postdoctoral fellow at SACEMA, currently working on a general model for the population dynamics of the tryanosomiases and their vectors, Glossina spp.
Ms C Geoghegan is a PhD student working in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, on Bovine TB.