In this episode, we talk to Drs. Mugdha Thakur and Baltazar Espinoza about the origins of mathematical models in epidemiology and how simple models can still reveal useful insights. As newly minted postdocs, they also talk about their transition into a large team working remotely during a pandemic.

Mugdha Thakur is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Network Systems Science and Advanced Computing division at the University of Virginia. Being skilled at mechanistic modeling, parameter translation and transdisciplinary communication, her research revolves around computational and mathematical epidemiology with a focus on the methods for incorporating results from public health and social studies research. 

Baltazar Espinoza is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Network Systems Science and Advanced Computing division at the University of Virginia. His research interests lie at the intersection of mathematical and computational models to study infectious diseases and population dynamics. Full bio at https://biocomplexity.virginia.edu/person/baltazar-espinoza