Applied Analysis Seminar: Christian Parkinson (MSU)

Title: Optimal Control of Compartmental Models for Epidemiology Incorporating Human Behavior
Abstract: I’ll discuss ODE, PDE, and stochastic ODE models describing the spread of a generic disease wherein human behavior is incorporated via a social contagion which spreads parallel to the disease. The social contagion represents noncompliance with non-pharmaceutical intervention (NPI) mandates such as mask-wearing, quarantine, or social distancing. I'll give an overview of basic epidemiological results such as disease proliferation/extinction thresholds and asymptotic behavior, and then discuss optimal control in the context of a policy-maker who chooses the strength of NPIs that are enacted.