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STEM Scholars Lecture Series
The STEM Scholars lectures are designed for the general public. These lectures bring together area K-12 and community college students, faculty, and administrators; local business and industry leaders; CSUS students, faculty and alumni; and local community members to learn more about Sacramento State faculty research and scholarly efforts in STEM fields. The lectures cover a wide range of STEM topics from artificial intelligence to environmental sustainability issues.
Past Lecture
Math Meets Biology: Modeling Vector-Borne Diseases Across Species
Free Community Lecture, Wednesday, October 1st 2025
Lecture from 6:00-7:00 PM in Sequoia Hall, Room 301
Reception from 5:45-6:00 PM in Sequoia Hall, Room 320
Parking is free on 10/1 from 5:30-8:00pm with the following parking code: EV15224. You may redeem your parking code at any parking permit machine on campus. The closest parking to Sequoia Hall are Lots 2 and 3. Please view our campus map at www.csus.edu/campusmap for directions.
Abstract:
Many diseases that affect humans, animals, and even insects are not transmitted directly--they rely on other organisms, such as mosquitoes or ticks, to spread. These are referred to as vector-borne diseases, and they can have signaficant public and ecological impacts. In this talk, I will provide a brief overview of my research program, followed by an introduction to the basics of SIR models and how they help us understand the spread of these diseases. I will focus on virus transmission within a honeybee colony, specifically transmitted by Varroa destructor.
I will also briefly discuss mathematical models of Lyme disease, transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks, and malaria, caused by Plasmodium, parasites and transmitted via bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. These models are analyzed using a combination of analytical and computational techniques. Using computer Simulations, we investigate disease transmission over time based on our models. For example, a virus-infested honeybee colony without varroacide treatment collapses regardless of the of the forager mortality rate. Our results aim to assist beekeepers in designing effective remedial strategies.
Dr. Vardayani Ratti is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at California State University, Sacramento, specializing in mathematical biology and epidemiological modeling. Her research applies differential equations to study complex biological and ecological phenomena, including infectious diseases, pollinator health, and gene-based HIV treatments. Dr. Ratti earned her Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Guelph in Canada, where she focused on modeling disease dynamics in honeybee colonies. Prior to joining Sac State, she held a postdoctoral position at Dartmouth College as a John Wesley Young Research Instructor.