Global Disease Modelling

We help shape how the world responds to infectious diseases: guiding vaccine and treatment development, and advising on public health measures to control and eliminate disease. Our mathematical models capture how diseases spread, how severe infections are, and how childhood exposure shapes health across a lifetime.

The Global Disease Modelling team develops new mathematical models and methodology applied to diseases with highly complex dynamics.

Led by Professor Melissa Penny, the Global Disease Modelling group improves our understanding of complex diseases through the development of mathematical models and methodologies. Our work addresses contemporary issues in infectious diseases and global health through a better understanding of preventing disease progression and transmission.

Our focus is on malaria and Strep-A, amongst other infectious diseases. We have also helped improve our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic, aiding in our understanding of interventions. We have developed OpenMalaria, an individual-based model of malaria dynamics and OpenStrepA, an individual-based simulation model for Strep A.

Here we list our largest current projects and how they contribute to impact. If you would like more information on any of these projects, please feel free to reach out to our team at globaldiseasemodelling@thekids.org.au, or contact any of our team members.

Team leader

Melissa Penny

PhD, PD, BSc (Hons)

Professor Fiona Stanley Chair in Child Health Research

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Team members (15)

Josephine Malinga

PhD, MSc, BSc

Senior Research Fellow

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Epke Annelie Le Rutte

PhD, DVM, MSc (Hons), BSc

Senior research consultant

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Chitra Maharani Saraswati

MSc, BSc

PhD student (UWA), Research Officer (Part-time)

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Yuval Berman

BPhil (Hons)

PhD Student

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Baxter Smith

MTeach (Sec), BMath (UQ)

Scientific Software Developer

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Dang Quang Nguyen

PhD, ME, BEng (Distinction)

Scientific Software Developer

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Danyan Chen

MIT

Software Developer

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Maame Akua Korsah

PhD, MSc, BSc

Research Officer

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Jacob Marsh

PhD, BSc (Hons)

Senior Research Officer

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Andrea Martin Kipingu

PhD, MSc, BSc

Senior Research Officer

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Daniella Figueroa-Downing

PhD, MPH

Postdoctoral Research Scientist - Honorary Team Member

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Andrew Sullivan

BPhil (Hons)

Mathematical Modeller

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Blake Armstrong

PhD, BAdvSc(Hons)

Mathematical Modeller

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Aimee Balaam

BSc Nutr. & BSc Health Prom.

Research Support Officer

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Julian Heng

PhD, BSc (Hons), DipCouns

Program Manager

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Global Disease Modelling projects

Featured projects

Modelling to support next-generation malaria vaccines

In this project, we will generate model-driven insights to accelerate and optimise how next-generation malaria vaccines and monoclonal antibodies are developed, evaluated, and deployed, across different age groups, use-cases, and transmission settings.

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June 2026

Reimagining OpenMalaria and Supporting Novel Tools

This project consists of two linked research programs, working to support malaria control and elimination using OpenMalaria: our in-house, open-source, malaria simulation tool.

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June 2026

Other projects

Modelling to support malaria strategy and portfolio management Strep A modelling: OpenStrepA Vaccine Impact Modelling Consortium (VIMC) supporting Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance Next-generation Malaria Vaccines Stakeholder Engagement Meetings held at ASTMH

Global Disease Modelling

Featured work

Major funding boost accelerates fight against malaria

Shaping global policy on infectious disease with mathematical modelling research

Leading disease modeller appointed inaugural Fiona Stanley Chair of Child Health Research

Modelling the Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in All of Its Twists and Turns

The beauty of disease modelling

Malaria vaccine could prevent thousands of child deaths