Mathematical Modelling of Avian Malaria in Hawaiian Honeycreepers

Date: 
Friday, October 5, 2018
Room/Location: 
Room 9
Time: 
11:00 am to 11:20 am
Session Track(s): 
Research: Biology

Avian malaria is a mosquito-borne parasitic disease of birds caused by protists of the genera Plasmodium. This disease has been identified as a primary cause of the drastic decline and extinctions of endemic birds on Pacific Islands. In this work, I formulate a mathematical model of the transmission dynamics of avian malaria between a generic bird species and mosquito using a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs). I then derive measures which can determine whether the disease can invade bird populations. I will discuss strategies for minimizing the impact of avian malaria in two scenarios: disease-free populations which may be invaded by avian malaria and populations where this disease is enzootic but where bird species have not developed resistance or tolerance.

Speaker(s)

Kyle Dahlin
Kānaka Maoli
Ph.D. candidate
Purdue University

Kyle Dahlin is a Ph.D. candidate in mathematics at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, USA. He conducts research in the field of mathematical biology and is primarily interested in mathematical models of disease ecology. His most recent work regards a model of the transmission dynamics and population impacts of avian malaria in Hawaiian forest birds. His home is in the ahupuaʻa of Kailua on the island of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. In his career, he hopes to integrate traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and modern mathematical methods in order to predict and mitigate future ecosystem collapses.

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