Prof. Dr. Daniel Villela from FIOCRUZ becomes holder of the CAPES Brazil Chair at the University of Münster
Prof. Daniel Villela, an outstanding senior researcher at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), a renowned and internationally recognised research institution in Brazil, has been selected to be the new holder of the CAPES Brazil Chair at the University of Münster. The CAPES Brazil Chair will be located at two institutes: at the Institute of Information Systems, it will be hosted by Prof. Dr. Bernd Hellingrath, Chair of Information Systems and Supply Chain Management and Scientific Director of the Brazil Centre and at the Institute for Epidemiology and Social Medicine, it will be hosted by Prof. Dr. Andre Karch, Deputy Director of the Institute and Head of Clinical Epidemiology.
The 2024 call for applications focused on the topic “Modelling Infectious Disease Dynamics for Epidemiologic Management”. Prof. Villela, an expert in epidemiology, ecology, and biology, brings extensive experience in developing mathematical and statistical models to analyse the transmission and control of infectious diseases such as arboviruses and malaria. During his stay in Münster, Prof. Villela will contribute to the development of scientific models aimed at understanding how transmission effects and virulence are distributed across populations and how these patterns change over time. “A key example of this work is modelling the impact of vaccine introduction on the relationship between pathogen and host at a population level,” explains Villela.
In addition to his own research, Prof. Villela will be able to nominate a postdoctoral fellow and a doctoral sandwich fellow. The activities of the young Brazilian researchers can multiply the chances of knowledge exchange and networking with various institutes inside the University of Münster.
During his research stay, Prof. Dr. Daniel Villela will actively contribute to the newly established Interdisciplinary Centre for Infectious Disease Modeling at the University of Münster, where both of his hosts are members. His expertise and collaboration are expected to provide significant impulses for this innovative interdisciplinary platform, which could lead to new research initiatives and strengthen collaborations in the field of infectious disease modelling.
The Brazil Chair, founded in 2010, is dedicated to enhancing scientific and academic collaboration between the University of Münster and universities and research institutions in Brazil. Its goals include fostering the development and expansion of academic contacts and networks within the defined thematic fields. In addition, the Brazil Chair strives to raise the profile of distinguished Brazilian scholars in Germany.
Further information:
Interview with Fiocruz (in Portuguese)
Source (in Portuguese): CAPES