Angela McLean is expanding our understanding of human infectious agents by using mathematical models to study and predict their evolution and spread. Angela investigates how infections spread both within and between individuals. In addition, she produced the first mathematical models that demonstrated the evolution of vaccine-resistant pathogens.
Her contributions also extend to modelling the human immune system where, in particular, she showed the importance of understanding the make-up and dynamics of the immune cell population. This led to an expansion of the field of theoretical immunology and an increase in its influence on experimental work.
Angela has served in an advisory capacity to the UK government, chairing the lead expert group for a policy futures project on reducing the risk of future disasters, including disease pandemics. She was also a member of the Defra Science Advisory Council, focusing on the department’s use of scientific risk appraisal, as well as the Department of Health’s National Expert Panel on New and Emerging Infections.
Subject groups
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Patterns in Populations
Epidemiology (non-clinical), Evolution, Biological modelling
Awards
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Gabor Medal
For her pivotal work on the mathematical population biology of immunity.
