PhD Graduate Fellowship Spatial Analysis of Anthrax Occurrence Patterns in Kenya at International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

The Position:

The graduate fellow will conduct epidemiological analyses to identify socio-ecological factors that promote anthrax occurrence and persistence as well as zoonotic spill-overs. Outbreaks of the disease have been reported in multiple locations in Kenya and hence data that will be used in these analyses will include secondary records from existing databases and primary data from field surveys.  Field studies will be implemented in collaboration with the Washington State University-Kenya Program, Zoonosis Disease Unit, Ministry of Health and the Department of Veterinary Services. This work will contribute to ILRI’s/CRP’s mission of building capacity for improved management of zoonotic diseases by generating tools (such as risk maps for prioritizing areas for surveillance and control) and new knowledge on risk factors and practices.

Host Program: Animal and Human Health

Main ILRI Project Title:  Identifying anthrax hotspots and the associated ecological factors in Kenya

Graduate fellows project title: Using ecological niche models to predict the spatial distribution of anthrax hotspots in Kenya

ILRI CGIAR Research Program (CRP) linkage: Agriculture for Nutrition and Health

Key responsibilities:

• Review of literature to identify drivers for anthrax occurrence and persistence
• Analyze secondary data from veterinary and public health institutions and other on-line databases
• Participate in outbreak investigations to map anthrax outbreaks
• Conduct ecological niche modelling to identify risk factors for the disease, and use fitted models to generate risk maps
• Estimate the burden of anthrax based on niche maps produced
• Write publications and short communication briefs

Requirements:

• MSc in Epidemiology, MSc Public Health, or MSc Environmental Health
• Excellent writing skills
• An effective and energetic team player with the ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to work independently, multi-task and meet tight deadlines.
• Skills on geographical information systems