STEAM-3D

The STEAM-3D project seeks to address critical gaps in mathematical and statistical infectious diseases modelling capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa by providing high-quality, multidisciplinary training with a focus on sustainability and policy impact. The project, led by the South African Medical Research Council, includes three additional training hubs in Cameroon (Douala General Hospital), Mozambique (Universidade Eduardo Mondlane) and Malawi (University of Malawi) and a Northern Partner (University of Hasselt, Belgium). The proposal has four specific aims. The first aim of the project is to build modeling capacity through five training workshops, chosen based on high relevance during previous outbreaks. The workshops include the topics of mathematical modeling, outbreak data modeling, wastewater epidemiology, the analysis routine health data to inform outbreak response, and AI/machine learning with practical implementation using large real-world datasets. The workshop participants will include researchers in public health and research institutes across South Africa, Uganda, Botswana, Rwanda, Cameroon, Mozambique, Malawi and Kenya leveraging existing strong networks in the region. The second aim of improving communication of model outputs to policymakers, will be realised through training on the development of interactive dashboards, e-platforms for education, and training on evidence-based decision-making. An additional aim of the project is to ensure ensure sustainability by creating a pipeline of researchers. The STEAM-3D project will include mentoring of trainees and the use open-source free platforms to keep materials accessible post-project. In addition to this all trainees will form part of an Infectious Disease Modelling Working Group featuring seminars and regular meetings for ongoing collaboration. The final aim is to strengthen partnerships through existing South-South networks and the SAMRC-hosted working group.