Alex Perkins

Alex Perkins is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Notre Dame, where he also holds a concurrent faculty position in Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics. He is the Ann and Daniel Monahan Collegiate Professor, reflecting his distinguished contributions to infectious disease epidemiology.

Perkins' research focuses on the application of mathematical, computational, and statistical methods to understand the ecology and epidemiology of infectious diseases, particularly mosquito-borne and vector-borne diseases. His work spans three major themes: enhancing infectious disease mapping through transmission dynamics theory, improving disease forecasting with mechanistic models, and advancing the modeling of public health interventions. His research aims to provide decision-makers with rigorous, uncertainty-quantified predictions about disease burden and intervention impact.

His recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on modeling dengue, Zika, yellow fever, and the indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on vaccination programs. The articles frequently employ ensemble forecasting, data integration, and cost-effectiveness analysis, demonstrating a consistent focus on predictive modeling and public health application across diverse disease systems and global regions.

• Ann and Daniel Monahan Collegiate Professor

Perkins leads the Perkins Lab at Notre Dame, where he mentors a research group focused on computational epidemiology. His work is highly collaborative, involving numerous national and international partners, and is supported by significant research funding, as evidenced by his publication record in top-tier journals. His lab applies theoretical ecology and mathematical biology to solve pressing public health problems.