Dr Kimberly Fornace

Dr Fornace's research focuses on identifying spatial and environmental risk factors for infectious diseases by applying geo-statistical and machine learning approaches. Using aerial (drone) and satellite-based remote sensing data, this work aims to assess how ecological and environmental changes impact infectious disease transmission. A core focus of this work has been characterising the spatial epidemiology of the zoonotic malaria Plasmodium knowlesi in Malaysian Borneo and the Philippines and evaluating associations with deforestation and other land use changes. Her current research focuses on developing spatio-temporal models of disease risks using serological data to estimate transmission intensity of neglected tropical diseases in Southeast Asia and Africa.