Global Heating and Vector-borne Diseases Transmission in Papua New Guinea
A present and near-future consequence of global heating is the range expansion of vector-borne diseases (VBDs), including malaria, dengue and Japanese encephalitis.
The impacts of the climate catastrophe on VBDs transmission are further compounded by deforestation, an increasing acceleration of the frequency of severe weather events, accelerating sea level rise, essential supply chain disruptions (e.g., water, food and medical supplies), and the associated population displacement and urbanisation.
Developing countries are disproportionally impacted. This project will focus on Papua New Guinea (PNG), which accounts for the majority of VBD transmission in the Oceania region.
The project will explore the VBD transmission in PNG over past decades and in the future by using satellite-based climate data and applying various future climate projections. The incorporation of other data sources such as VBD case and vector surveillance data from PNG will be encouraged and enabled. The scope can be expanded to other geographies (e.g., Solomon Islands)
The project will be conducted in close collaboration with the PNG Institute of Medical Research.
The candidate will be a successful scholarship applicant with a mathematical or epidemiology background and programming skills. Experience with geospatial analysis techniques will be beneficial.
For further information: stephan.karl@jcu.edu.au