James Gareth Wood

Professor James Gareth Wood is an applied mathematician and epidemiologist at UNSW Sydney, specializing in epidemiological modelling and infectious disease control. His primary research focuses on respiratory viruses, vaccine-preventable diseases, and economic evaluations of public health interventions. He holds a PhD and honours degree in mathematical physics from the University of Queensland.

Education:

• PhD in Mathematical Physics, University of Queensland
• Bachelor's Honours in Mathematical Physics, University of Queensland

Research Interests:

Wood’s work integrates mathematical modelling with real-world epidemiological data to assess intervention efficacy. Key areas include:

• Evaluation of vaccine strategies (e.g., RSV, pertussis, gonorrhoea)
• Modelling SARS-CoV-2 transmission and control measures
• Economic analyses of public health programs
• Pathogen evolution and antibiotic resistance dynamics

Publications & Impact:

His recent work emphasizes pandemic preparedness, including analyses of test-trace-quarantine systems and vaccine coverage targets. He collaborates widely with public health agencies and has contributed to Australia’s respiratory disease surveillance frameworks.

Lab/Teams:

While not explicitly mentioned, his research aligns with interdisciplinary teams at UNSW’s School of Medicine & Health, focusing on computational epidemiology and public health policy.