MODELING VACCINATION STRATEGIES AND INTERVENTION IMPACTS ON INFECTIOUS DISEASE DYNAMICS

This dissertation explores how mathematical and statistical modeling can inform vaccination strategies and evaluate the impact of interventions during infectious disease outbreaks. Motivated by the challenges observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the research integrates compartmental modeling, Bayesian inference, and agent-based simulation to assess policy effectiveness and disease control across varying contexts. The first study develops a SEIRDV model that incorporates government interventions and vaccination rollout to examine COVID-19 dynamics in Qatar. A Bayesian approach is used to estimate parameters and compute time-varying transmission rates. The model captures shifts in transmission following policy changes and quantifies the reduction in deaths attributable to vaccination. Building on this, the second study introduces two compartmental models to account for reinfection dynamics and varying vaccine efficacy. Using a Bayesian framework with the Metropolis-Hastings algorithm, the study compares models through scenario analysis and formal metrics such as Bayes factors and Hellinger distance. Results demonstrate the critical importance of early vaccination in minimizing reinfections and hospital burden. The final study employs an agent-based modeling framework, SAFE-ABM, to simulate structured interactions across families, workplaces, and schools. The model evaluates targeted interventions for essential workers, including mobility restrictions, school closures, and rotational workforce strategies. To support robust uncertainty assessment, we introduce a novel Bayesian uncertainty quantification framework specifically designed for agent-based simulations. This framework systematically captures variation in transmission, recovery, and mortality rates. Findings suggest that rotational workforce policies combined with quarantine measures are most effective in curbing workplace outbreaks and household transmission. These studies provide a comprehensive and methodologically innovative view of how vaccination strategies and targeted interventions can be modeled to support public health decision-making during pandemics

Senior Recital, Lauren Maho, mezzo soprano

Senior RecitalLauren Maho, mezzo sopranoDaniel Stipe, pianoSaturday, April 12, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.Recital HallJames W. Black Music Center1015 Grove Avenue | Richmond, VirginiaThe presentation of this senior recital will fulfill in part the requirements for the Bachelor of Music degree in Performance. Lauren Maho studies voice with Margaret Taylor Woods

Senior Recital, Layne Hopkins, trombone, video

Senior recital, videoLayne Hopkins, tromboneDaniel Stipe, pianoSunday, April 27, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.Recital HallJames W. Black Music Center1015 Grove Avenue | Richmond, VirginiaThe presentation of this senior recital will fulfill in part the requirements for the Bachelor of Music degree in Performance. Layne Hopkins studies trombone with Dr. Ross Walter

String Area Recital

String Area Recital, videoWednesday, March 26, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.Recital HallJames W. Black Music Center1015 Grove Avenue | Richmond, Virgini

Senior Recital, Ethan Jenkins, tuba, video

Senior Recital, videoEthan Jenkins, tubaNick Berkin, pianoTuesday, April 15, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.Sonia Vlahcevic Concert HallW.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts922 Park Avenue | Richmond, VirginiaThe presentation of this senior recital will fulfill in part the requirements of the Bachelor of Music degree in Performance. Ethan Jenkins studies tuba with Jeff Hudson

Special Recital, Jalen Wise, flute, video

Special Recital, videoJalen Wise, fluteDaniel Stipe, pianoTuesday, March 25, at 6:00 p.m.Recital HallJames W. Black Music Center1015 Grove Avenue | Richmond, Virgini

Artist in Residence Recital, disc two

Disc two of twoNeave TriopresentsRemembrancesSaturday, March 22, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.Sonia Vlahcevic Concert HallW.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts922 Park Avenue | Richmond, Virgini

Special Recital, Jalen Wise, flute

Special RecitalJalen Wise, fluteDaniel Stipe, pianoTuesday, March 25, at 6:00 p.m.Recital HallJames W. Black Music Center1015 Grove Avenue | Richmond, Virgini

The Political Construction of Anti-Transgender Policy: A Critical Policy Analysis of North Carolina State Legislators\u27 Discursive Strategies

In recent year anti-LGBTQ policy has been cropping up at the state level across the United States. While these policies have been described as unprecedented, they signal a period of retrenchment for the rights of queer and transgender individuals in the United States. This critical policy analysis of North Carolina state legislation that is decidedly homophobic and transgender examines the discursive tactics of policy actors (i.e. North Carolina Legislators) as they argue these policies during legislative sessions. Through our analysis of legislators’ commentary during House of Representative sessions we identified discursive formations that were considered allied with the LGBTQ community or oppositional to it. This study provides an insight into the discursive tactics of anti-LGBTQ policy construction

Equity implications of the unchanged Federal minimum wage since 2009

This year marks 16 years since the federal minimum wage was raised in 2009. It is the longest period in its history without any increase. Even though over 20 states increased their minimum wage rates in 2025, there are still 20 states adhering to the federal minimum wage of $7.25. While the minimum wage at the federal level and in many states has remained stagnant, the prices of all life essentials have continued to increase across the country, with$1 in July 2009 having the same buying power of $1.46 in July 2024. Today, an individual needs an hourly wage of$23.08 to cover their basic living expenses, more than three times the federal minimum wage of $7.25. The increased cost of living, worsened by inflation, continues to support the calls to raise the minimum wage to improve living standards and reduce income inequality, especially for those paid at or below the minimum wage