Ongoing projects
A selection of projects I'm involved in much of my current research is based on understanding long-term data on spatio-temporal incidence patterns of microparasitic infections such as pertussis, measles and bovine tuberculosis. In addition, Some new projects on COVID-19. In my work, I formalize scientific hypotheses as mathematical models to make precise predictions and powerful inference.
Evolution of resistance to Schistosomiasis
Investigating population structure and differential transmission potential in snail populations in Senegal. Will recruit Postdocs soon!
In collaboration with Jason Rohr, Maurine Neiman & Curt Lively
Bacterial Evolution & immune evasion
We are developing mechanistic models of pertussis evolution for countries under different vaccine regimes
In collaboration with Andy Preston, Sam Scarpino, Matthew Hahn, Luis Rocha, Eric Harvill & Michael Weigand
Disease spreading modeling through social and genomic data of SARS-CoV-2 in the United States
Integrating paralel data streams
Adaptive behavior and disease transmission
Integrative Epi-economic framework to understand adaptive changes in behavior and transmission consequences
Tick borne emergence in the Midwest
Using Indiana as an Early Warning System for tick expansion in the Midwest. Phylogeographic analysis of tick and pathogen diversity and disease dynamics
In collaboration with Karo Oomodior, Keith Clay, Dan Becker, Curt Lively & Ellen Ketterson
Drivers of pertussis dynamics
Bayesian coalescent framework to formally tests drivers of evolution in B. pertussis populations
In collaboration with Pejman Rohani & Aaron King, Thijs Bosch
Herd immunity erosion: source and sink dynamics
Characterize disease dynamics and vaccine coverage, estimate the epidemiological impact of vaccine hesitancy, and identify the spatial scale of herd immunity.
In collaboration with Pejman Rohani, Shweta Bansal, Saad Omer & Murali Haran
Evolution of antiviral resistance
Computationally test the hypothesis that increased HA binding avidity is associated with increased rates of Oseltamivir resistance.
In collaboration with Sam Scarpino & Deven Gokhale
Vaccine waning immunity
England & Wales and particular states in the US incidence times series of pertussis for different vaccine eras.
In collaboration with Pejman Rohani, Aaron King & Felicia Magpantay
Influenza viral attributes
Emergence and pathogenesis of influenza viruses, with a focus on identification of attributes which influence tropism, pathogenicity, and evolution of influenza viruses.
In collaboration with Jasmina Luczo, Mark Tompkins & Pejman Rohani
Impact of maternal vaccination
The historical pertussis literature indicates that maternal vaccination may potentially lead to a reduction in the efficacy of routine infant immunization. We studied the possible downstream consequences of maternal immunization.
In collaboration with Lourdes de Lima, Daniela Leite
Within herd dynamics
Epidemiological impact of control & immunisation activities on within-herd bovine tuberculosis outbreaks
In collaboration with Christl Donnelly and DEFRA
Environmental drivers of plant-herbivore dynamics
In temperate regions the seasonal pattern of plant productivity and senescence is influenced strongly by the prevailing weather. For herbivores the onset of spring is particularly important for survival and growth, while subsequent plant production will potentially influence lactation and recovery of body mass before the next breeding season.
In collaboration with Mick Crawley, Josephine Pemberton, Steve Albon & Dan Nussey
Selected Publications
For a complete list of publications check my CV
Information Seeking Responses to News of Local COVID-19 Cases: Evidence from Internet Search Data
Bento et al. PNAS 2020
Effects of mitigation strategies on COVID-19 averted cases in Sichuan, China
Liu, Bento, Ajelli et al.
under review Plos Comp Bio
Global effects of delays in detection of COVID-19
Bento et al. nearing submission (available upon request)
Inferring Timing of Infection Using Within-host SARS-CoV-2 Infection Dynamics Model: Are “Imported Cases” Truly Imported?
Ejima, Bento et al 2020
Under review Elife
Estimation of the incubation period of COVID-19 using viral load data
Ejima, Bento et al. medrxiv 2020
Under Review in ProcB
B. pertussis epidemiology, transmission & evolution in the vaccine era
Bento, King, Taujale, Bosch & Rohani. in review (avaiable on medrxiv)
Won't you be my neighbor?
Bento, Omer, Haran, Rohani & Bansal (under review AmNat)
Hierarchical Measles heterogenous under vaccination
Age and sex specific susceptibility as a predictor for COVID-19 prevalence in China
Bento, Ajelli et al. nearing submission (available upon request)
Evolutionary consequences of feedbacks between within-host competition and disease control
Greischar, Bento et al. JID 2020
Feeding the disparities: the geography and trends of breastfeeding in the United States
Garnier, Bento et al. 2019 Vaccine
Epidemiological impact of control and immunisation activities on within-herd bovine tuberculosis outbreaks
Bento & Donnelly. 2020. Scientific Reports (Forthcoming)
Core pertussis transmission groups in England and Wales: A tale of two eras
Bento et al. 2018. Vaccine
The relative role of age groups in pertussis transmission scenarios
Bento et al. 2018. BioRxiv
Maternal pertussis immunisation: clinical gains and epidemiological legacy
Bento, King & Rohani. 2017. Eurosurveillance
Physiological proteins in resource-limited herbivores experiencing a population die-off
Garnier, Bento et al. 2017
Forecasting epidemiological consequences of maternal immunization
Bento & Rohani 2016. Clinical Infectious Diseases
EpiJSON: A unifed data-format for epidemiology
Finnie, Bento et al. 2016. Epidemics
A review of epidemiological parameters from Ebola outbreaks to inform early public health decision-making
Bento et al. 2015. Nature Scientific Data
Exploration of the power of routine surveillance data to assess the impacts of industry-led badger culling on bovine tuberculosis incidence in cattle herds
Bento et al. 2015. Veterinary Record
Multiple pathways mediate the effects of climate change on maternal reproductive traits in a red deer population
Stoffer, Bento et al. 2014. Ecology
Climatic effects of plant productivity and herbivore performance in St Kilda
Bento et al. in review (available upon request)
Warming and vegetation community dynamics in a wild red deer population
Bento et al. submitted (available upon request)
Spring temperature and rain mediate summer growth in the Park Grass experiment
Bento et al. nearing submission (available upon request)
The Bento Lab
Get to know us & join us!
Ana Bento PI
Eco-epidemiologist with a focus on ecology and evolution of infectious diseases.
Seth Edmunds Phd Student
SPH
Varun Rao PhD Student
NRT
Turner DeBlieux Phd student
EEB
Hiring Postdoc Soon
SPH
Please send a CV + brief statement of interests & background to abento@
iu.edu Recruiting undergraduates for Fall 2020!
We have positions available to work in the lab and on mathematical modeling projects.
Recruiting undergraduates for Fall 2020!
We have positions available to work in the lab and on mathematical modeling projects.
Find us here
Bento Lab
School of Public Health, IU-Bloomington
1025 7th Street, #C113
