Tell us about your current research

I use mathematical modelling to understand infectious disease transmission. A lot of my work is around cost-effectiveness modelling of vaccines, so that policymakers have evidence to decide whether to introduce new vaccines or amend routine vaccination schedules.

How did you first become interested in this particular area of research?

My academic background is in evolutionary ecology, which is about understanding how living things adapt to their physical and social environment. This field has lots of questions that are best approached using mathematics and computer simulations, because evolution normally takes too long to directly observe and because natural selection has a certain remorseless logic to it which is easier to capture in mathematical terms (compared to, say, human behaviour). When I finished my PhD, I wanted a break from that specific area, but still using the same approach which I really enjoy. So, I applied for a job doing mathematical modelling of antibiotic resistance at LSHTM and here I am.

What do you hope to achieve during your time on the VaC management committee?

I think what I’m most interested in is facilitating communication between different disciplines. I would also like to work on exposing academics to the policy-making process and how they can use their research to influence decisions—something that I’m by no means an expert on, but which I have been lucky enough to have had some experience in since I started at LSHTM.

What do you find particularly interesting working as a member of the Vaccine Centre?

One of the things I like the most about it is meeting people whom I might not otherwise interact with!

Where do you think your research will take you/ how do you expect you work to develop?

I don’t really know, which is one of the things I really enjoy about being a scientist.

What are some of the real-life implications of your work?

I was lucky to do a lot of impactful work during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, we were the first to show that the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant had a higher severity than the wild-type. That’s one of the pieces of research that I’m most proud of.

What do you like doing in your spare time?

I like to play the piano, watch movies, read, meet up with friends, and cook.

What would you consider an interesting fact about yourself you don't mind sharing?

If I need to say something about myself, I will sometimes tell stories about when I used to work in a steel mill. That was probably the best summer job I’ve ever had.

How can people get in touch with you?

Nicholas Davies