
Dr Emily Nixon
PhD, Bsc
Expertise
I am infectious disease modeller, with experience in producing and using a variety of models to understand more about the dynamics of diseases in humans and animals
Current positions
Research Associate
School of Biological Sciences
Contact
Media contact
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Biography
In my undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Exeter (with year abroad at Monash University, Australia) I completed a computational research project and a module in computational biology and bioinformatics, both of which enabled me to combine my interest in the biological aspects of disease with my other strengths in mathematics and computer programing.
Upon graduating from my undergraduate degree, I started a PhD as part of the BBSRC SWBio DTP which involved producing and fitting a spatial epidemiological metapopulation model for an infectious parasitic disease in sheep (sheep scab, caused by the mite Psoroptes ovis). I also developed economic models and spatial statistical models for Psoroptes ovis as well as other veterinary parasites (ticks and fleas).
As part of the DTP, I completed a secondment in DEFRA and the APHA during an Avian Influenza outbreak, which gave me experience in modelling and response to epidemics from a policy perspective.
I now work as a Postdoctoral Research Associate, continuing my research into sheep scab. In the COVID-19 pandemic I have been responsible for the collection of social contact survey data to be used in COVID-19 modelling (http://www.bristol.ac.uk/population-health-sciences/research/groups/bidd/research/con-quest/) and am employed as part of the JUNIPER consortium (https://maths.org/juniper/) to carry out responsive COVID-19 modelling to be fed into the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (SPI-M) and the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), both of whom advise the UK government on scientific matters relating to the UK’s response to the pandemic.
Research interests
I am an infectious disease modeller and data scientist who produces and uses mathematical models to explore disease dynamics and identify effective control interventions. I have particular interest in social contacts, spatial epidemiology, respiratory viral infections, vaccine preventable infections, parasitic diseases, zoonoses, emerging resistance and reservoirs for infection.
Publications
Recent publications
24/11/2021Impacts of vaccination and asymptomatic testing on SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics in a university setting
Contacts and behaviours of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic at the start of the 2020/2021 academic year
Scientific Reports
High COVID-19 transmission potential associated with re-opening universities can be mitigated with layered interventions
Nature Communications
Limits of lockdown: characterising essential contacts during strict physical distancing [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]
Wellcome Open Research
Modelling pooling strategies for SARS-CoV-2 testing in a university setting
Wellcome Open Research
Thesis
Modelling the epidemiology and economics of sheep scab in Great Britain
Supervisors
Award date
26/11/2020