Monash University
Research Field: Health policy, Epidemiology, Modelling
The COVID-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented threat, not just to human health, but to all aspects of our society and economy. From early 2020, Dr Trauer has supported the Victorian Government and many countries of the Asia-Pacific Region to understand and address the epidemic.
During Victoria’s second pandemic wave from winter 2020, Dr Trauer’s group provided regular projections of the burden of cases, deaths and health service requirements. In collaboration with the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region, his group provided regular support and projections for Malaysia and the Philippines, extending to countries of South East Asia. They have been aiming to improve in-country expertise for epidemiological modelling and improve preparedness for future pandemics. James has also overseen the development of a robust, transparent and publicly available software platform for constructing infectious diseases models.
Dr Trauer has been regularly interviewed by both local and international media on the Covid pandemic and he has written for The Conversation.
James was awarded his PhD in 2016 from the University of Melbourne. He is currently the Head of the Epidemiological Modelling Unit (School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine), Monash University.