Complexity Research Events and Forum
Complexity Forum: C.-F. Lee (Imperial College)
Speaker: C.-F. Lee (Imperial College)
Title: Stochastic dynamics of reaction-diffusion systems: An epidemic model case study
Abstract:
Reaction-diffusion systems are fundamental in modelling nonequilibrium processes arisen naturally in chemistry, physics, biology and ecology. A reaction-diffusion system is typically studied from the perspective of a set of partial differential equations in which fluctuations in particle diffusion and reactions are ignored. Although such an approach is undoubtedly applicable to a wide range of systems, it has also been realized that fluctuations in both diffusion and reaction events have important effects on the steady-state statistics of the system. In this talk, using the well-known Susceptible-Infected-Recovered-Susceptible (SIRS) epidemic model as an example, I will discuss how fluctuations affect the steady state of the system. Specifically, I will show how some analytical methods, such as quantum field theory, can be employed to calculate the effects of diffusion on the steady-state solutions. I will also compare the analytical results with extensive numerical simulations. This work is done in collaboration with Fernando Peruani at the University of Nice.
Lunch group: 4