The Next Pandemic Could Strike at Any Time: Are We Prepared?
Tuesday, 01 Apr 2025 at 7:00 pm – Great Hall, Memorial Union
Spring 2025 LAS Dean's LectureKadelka’s lecture bridges a variety of disciplines from mathematics and statistics to sociology, biology, and public health, to explore how refined infectious disease models can better predict and mitigate future outbreaks. Sprinkling his talk with compelling examples from his extensive research, Kadelka will demonstrate how multi-disciplinary insights can lead to more accurate, real-world epidemic models and ultimately guide effective public health interventions. He became passionate about this work because it merges his deep interest in mathematical biology with a commitment to safeguarding community health, ensuring that both scientific innovation and public welfare move forward together.In his research, Claus Kadelka applies methods from his training in mathematics and medical virology to tackle critical challenges in two broad areas. As the Lead PI of a multi-institutional National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, he works to deepen our understanding of gene regulatory networks, which fundamentally control how our cells function. Working towards better future pandemic preparedness, Kadelka further combines rigorous theoretical analysis with advanced computational techniques to uncover how human behavior and complex social processes intertwine in disease spread. His work particularly focuses on the impact of heterogeneities—like the tendency of individuals to interact more likely with others who share similar traits—on the transmission of pathogens.This lecture will be recorded and ready to view on the Available Recordings page approximately 24-36 hours after the conclusion of the event. The recording will only be available for three weeks from the date of the lecture.Spring 2025 LAS Dean's LectureKadelka’s lecture bridges a variety of disciplines from mathematics and statistics to sociology, biology, and public health, to explore how refined infectious disease models can better predict and mitigate future outbreaks. Sprinkling his talk with compelling examples from his extensive research, Kadelka will demonstrate how multi-disciplinary insights can lead to more accurate, real-world epidemic models and ultimately guide effective public health interventions. He became passionate about this work because it merges his deep interest in mathematical biology with a commitment to safeguarding community health, ensuring that both scientific innovation and public welfare move forward together.In his research, Claus Kadelka applies methods from his training in mathematics and medical virology to tackle critical challenges in two broad areas. As the Lead PI of a multi-institutional National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, he works to deepen our understanding of gene regulatory networks, which fundamentally control how our cells function. Working towards better future pandemic preparedness, Kadelka further combines rigorous theoretical analysis with advanced computational techniques to uncover how human behavior and complex social processes intertwine in disease spread. His work particularly focuses on the impact of heterogeneities—like the tendency of individuals to interact more likely with others who share similar traits—on the transmission of pathogens.This lecture will be recorded and ready to view on the Available Recordings page approximately 24-36 hours after the conclusion of the event. The recording will only be available for three weeks from the date of the lecture.
Stay for the entire event, including the brief question-and-answer session that follows the formal presentation. Most events run 75 minutes.
Sign-ins are after the event concludes. For lectures in the Memorial Union, go to the information desk in the Main Lounge. In other academic buildings, look for signage outside the auditorium.
Lecture Etiquette
- Stay for the entire lecture and the brief audience Q&A. If a student needs to leave early, he or she should sit near the back and exit discreetly.
- Do not bring food or uncovered drinks into the lecture.
- Check with Lectures staff before taking photographs or recording any portion of the event. There are often restrictions. Cell phones, tablets and laptops may be used to take notes or for class assignments.
- Keep questions or comments brief and concise to allow as many as possible.