Young Complexity Researchers’ Lunch (YCRL) #23: A Quantitative Framework for Optimizing Resource Allocation in Epidemic Control

The monthly Young Complexity Research Lunch (YCRL) is organised by the open group for Young Complexity Researchers Utrecht (YCRU), consisting of PhD candidates and postdocs at UU. This community building lunch event is designed specifically for young complexity researchers to share their complex systems science related work in a relaxing and informal settings, and to provide the opportunity to discuss challenges in Complex Systems Studies.

Hereby, we cordially invite you to the Young Complexity Researchers’ Lunch (YCRL) #23 on Tuesday November 19 (12:30-13:00) by Biplab Maity at the Centre for Complex Systems Studies (CCSS) where you can:

• Get a free gourmet lunch with the best sandwiches you can get in the Utrecht Science Park;

• Know one young complexity researchers' work over just 30 mins;

• Contribute your professional knowledge and experiences in a relaxing and informal setting;

• Develop potential collaboration.

Before the invited talk, the YCRU members come to together to go over the following agenda: 

• Introduction of new members
• Catch-up round
• Upcoming events
• Scientific discussion (e.g. on topics like coding, career, literature, conference recap, poster presentation, new insights, feedback on own research)

Programme: 
12:00-12:30  YCRU monthly meeting (all young complexity researchers are welcome, just walk in before 12:00).  
12:30-13:00  YCRL #23 (everyone is welcome, please sign up below)

YCRL #23: A Quantitative Framework for Optimizing Resource Allocation in Epidemic Control
Leading young complexity researcher: Biplab Maity, Agricultural & Ecological Research Unit (Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, India)

Abstract:
The emergence of communicable diseases is a major global concern, especially for lower-income countries, where limited resources exacerbate the challenge of mitigating disease burdens. Consequently, strategy development for disease control and optimal management of the associated social and economic burden has garnered a lot of attention in recent years. In this presentation, I will quantify the optimal allocation of resources between two fundamental intervention measures, namely reduction of disease transmission and improvement of healthcare infrastructure. Our results demonstrate that the effectiveness of each of the interventions has a significant impact on the optimal resource allocation in both long-term disease dynamics and outbreak scenarios. Notably, the optimal strategy for long-term dynamics exhibits non-monotonic behavior relative to intervention effectiveness, differing from the more straightforward approach recommended  in outbreak settings. Furthermore, our analysis shows that the relationship between investment in interventions and the corresponding increase in patient recovery rate or decrease in disease transmission rate plays a decisive role in determining optimal strategies. Interventions with diminishing returns promote the necessity for resource sharing. Overall, I will explore how to prioritize and scale interventions based on their cost-effectiveness, offering insights into optimal epidemic control in resource-constrained environments.

Everyone is welcome, and please feel free to invite your colleagues/friends/classmates/students to join us.

If you would like to have the lunch arrangement, please sign up before 15:00 Monday November 18.