An Invitation
Please join us at my doctoral dissertation defense titled “Mathematical Models to Evaluate the Clinical and Economic Impact of Biomedical HIV Prevention Strategies in the United States” at 12:30 pm on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at the Washington Research Foundation (WRF) Data Science Studio on the 6th floor of the Physics/Astronomy Tower at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. Maps, directions, and parking instructions are available here.
The specific aims of my doctoral dissertation research are to:
Specific Aim 1
Construct and utilize an economic model, based on clinical trial data, to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of financial incentives for viral suppression in HIV patients compared to standard HIV care in Bronx, NY, and Washington, D.C.
Specific Aim 2
Evaluate, using a dynamic transmission model of HIV, the cost-effectiveness of combined use of HIV vaccines and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) compared to a standard for prevention with PrEP alone as potential components of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States.
Part A: Adapt the structure and equations of an existing HIV compartmental model by adding HIV vaccines, costs, and patient health state utilities, and then parameterize and calibrate the model for men who have sex with men in King County, WA to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of PrEP.
Part B. Estimate, using the dynamic transmission model from Part A, the potential cost-effectiveness at a population-level of the combined use of an HIV vaccine with PrEP compared to PrEP as the standard of care, and identify thresholds for characteristics of a clinically and economically viable HIV vaccine for the United States.
What to expect
- 12:30 pm Delicious appetizers served during welcome and greeting
- 1:00 pm Public defense lecture
- 2:00 pm Private committee interrogation while attendees enjoy dessert
- After Hold your breath
If all doctoral dissertation supervisory committee members (see above) agree that my research, written dissertation, and oral defense examination are complete and satisfactory, their signing of an official document at the end marks the moment I become a doctor. In this case, we celebrate.
