Mathematics and Mosquitoes: A Conversation with Marta Pardo on World Mathematics Day
March 14 marks World Mathematics Day, a perfect occasion to highlight the importance of this discipline in our daily lives and scientific research. To celebrate, we interviewed Marta Pardo, a mathematician and researcher-in-training with the scientific team of Mosquito Alert at CEAB-CSIC. Marta explains how mathematics helps us understand the spread of mosquitoes and diseases.
Mathematics in Mosquito Research
Marta shares that her PhD research focuses on how climate and human mobility influence the spread of mosquitoes and, consequently, the diseases they transmit. “We use variables such as temperature, rainfall, and human mobility because they directly affect mosquito development. For instance, mosquitoes can be transported in vehicles, reaching much greater distances than they could by flying on their own.” To analyze these phenomena, Marta uses mathematical models.
“Mathematics allows us to create equations that simplify reality so we can study it both quantitatively and qualitatively. A common example of a mathematical model we use daily is weather forecasting, which combines physical and mathematical data to predict conditions in different regions.“
Data and predictions: key tools
A fundamental aspect of her research is the use of observational data to fine-tune models for the specific problems under study.
“We can use citizen science data, such as the information collected through Mosquito Alert, or trapping data from people who go into the field, collect mosquitoes, and analyze them taxonomically.”
With this data, researchers can generate mathematical models to predict mosquito population trends and future disease risks.
“From climate science to public health, mathematics is everywhere,” concludes.
Understanding the complex relationships between climate, human mobility, and the spread of mosquitoes and diseases lies at the heart of this fascinating field of research. This intersection of environmental science and human behavior is crucial for predicting and managing public health risks associated with mosquito-borne diseases.
On this World Mathematics Day, we celebrate the contributions of mathematics to scientific knowledge and global problem-solving. Thanks to early-career researchers like Marta Pardo, we can better understand the impact of climate and mobility on disease spread and develop more effective prevention strategies. As climate patterns shift and human mobility increases, this type of research becomes even more essential in the ongoing fight against mosquito-borne diseases.
