Mathematical models can be used to explore tick-borne pathogen dynamics, quantify risk of tick-borne disease and identify optimal strategies to reduce that risk. Questing ticks have been collected at a number of locations in the Hampton Roads area by a variety of collection techniques. These data were then used to estimate parameters for an agent-based mathematical model. This study helped to identify control measures that could reduce risk of tick-borne diseases to humans.

Dr. Gaff received a B.S. degree from Taylor University and a Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She is a faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences and an Assistant Professor in the School of Community and Environmental Health and Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center of Old Dominion University. Her research interests include mathematical modeling and simulation of infectious diseases, spatial heterogeneity; GIS; tick-borne diseases; nosocomial infections; and ecology of infectious diseases.

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