Main
Irena Papst, PhD
I’m a mathematical modeller and data scientist with highly-transferable skills in software development, teaching, and scientific communication.
(she/elle)
Education
PhD, Applied Mathematics
Center for Applied Mathematics
Cornell University
Aug 2021 - Sep 2015
- Thesis: Mathematical modeling of infectious disease dynamics: from recurrence to emergence, advised by Dr. Steven Strogatz
- Minors: Computational Science and Engineering, Mathematics
- Courses: Advanced Topic Modeling, Applied Dynamical Systems, Applied Stochastic Processes, Asymptotics and Perturbation Methods, Matrix Computations, Numerical Analysis and Differential Equations, Stochastic Processes, Theory of Statistics
- GPA: 4.12 out of 4.3
MSc, Mathematics
Department of Mathematics & Statistics
McMaster University
Aug 2015 - Sep 2013
- Thesis: Effects of fear on transmission dynamics of infectious diseases, advised by Dr. David Earn
- Courses: Analysis I, Calculus on Manifolds, Directed Reading in Evolutionary Game Theory, Foundations of Modern Scientific Computing, Methods in Applied Mathematics I & II
- GPA: 3.83 out of 4
BArtSc, Honours
Arts & Science Program
McMaster University
Apr 2013 - Sep 2009
- Limited-enrolment, interdisciplinary undergraduate program with a competitive admissions process, accepting only 60 students per year out of over 700 applicants that meet the minimum GPA cutoff
- Thesis: Why Study Mathematics? The Development of ‘Mathematical Maturity’ in Undergraduate Math & Stats Students at McMaster University, advised by Dr. Miroslav Lovric
- GPA: 3.93 out of 4
Work Experience
Scientist
National Microbiology Laboratory
Public Health Agency of Canada
Current - May 2022
- Modelling and forecasting infectious diseases in the Public Health Risk Sciences Division
- Developing internal modelling infrastructure and scientific software
Postdoctoral fellow
Department of Mathematics & Statistics
McMaster University
May 2022 - Sep 2021
- Modelling and analysing infectious disease dynamics with Drs. David J.D. Earn,
Benjamin M. Bolker, and Jonathan Dushoff - Projects include forecasting SARS-CoV-2 infection reports for Ontario, Canada and developing software for simulating infectious disease spread
My research experiences have enabled me to develop my critical thinking, coding, and communication skills.
Contractor
National Microbiology Laboratory
Public Health Agency of Canada
Jul 2021 - Apr 2021
- Enhanced an existing model to used to forecast SARS-CoV-2 spread and evaluate potential public health measures in Canada
- Model enhancements included multi-dose vaccination and contact heterogeneity based on age
- Developed software to simulate and calibrate the enhanced model
Research assistant
Department of Mathematics & Statistics
McMaster University
May 2021 - Jan 2021
- Analysed age-based patterns in serious COVID-19 outcomes, such as hospitalization and ICU admission, for Ontario, Canada with Drs. David J.D. Earn, Benjamin M. Bolker, and Jonathan Dushoff
Graduate research assistant
Department of Human Development
Cornell University
Dec 2018 - Feb 2018
- Developed a web interface for
rddapp, a statistical software package in R usingshiny - Helped write and thoroughly edit the help manual for the web interface
Academic Publications
I strive to produce clear and engaging publications accompanied by organized public code repositories so that all of my published work is reproducible.
Estimating the impact of COVID-19 vaccination in Canada: a counterfactual study
Mitchell EJ, Papst I, Earn DJD
N/A
N/A
In preparation
A compartmental model for epidemic parameter estimation and forecasting, with applications to COVID-19 variant-of-concern spread
Li M, Dushoff J, Earn DJD, Papst I, Ogden N, Bolker BM
N/A
N/A
In preparation
Forecasting infectious disease spread as new variants emerge and vaccination rates increase
Papst I, Li M, Champredon D, Dushoff J, Bolker BM, Earn DJD
N/A
N/A
In preparation (preliminary manuscript available upon request)
ern: An R package to estimate the effective reproduction number using clinical and wastewater surveillance data
Champredon D, Papst I, Yusuf W
N/A
Jun 2024
PLOS ONE
10.1371/journal.pone.0305550
Age-dependence of healthcare interventions for COVID-19 in Ontario, Canada
Papst I, Li M, Champredon D, Bolker BM, Dushoff J, Earn DJD
N/A
Apr 2021
BMC Public Health
10.1186/s12889-021-10611-4
Modeling the interplay between seasonal flu outcomes and individual vaccination decisions
Papst I, O’Keeffe KP, Strogatz SH
N/A
Jan 2021
Bulletin of Mathematical Biology
10.1007/s11538-021-00988-z
Invariant predictions of epidemic patterns from radically different forms of seasonal forcing
Papst I, Earn DJD
N/A
Jul 2019
Journal of the Royal Society Interface
10.1098/rsif.2019.0202
Software
I develop open-source scientific software that is useful, user-friendly and well-documented.
EPACmodel
Author, maintainer
N/A
Sep 2023
- An R package to use documented and versionned iterations of the Early Pandemic Age-structured Compartmental model, available on GitHub
Talks
I take great pride in making my talks stimulating and accessible.
From scripts to pipelines with targets
R Government and Public Sector Conference
Georgetown University
Oct 2023
Introduction to git and GitHub
R User Group
Public Health Agency of Canada
Aug 2023
- Slides available online
Math modelling in the wild (pt. 1 & 2)
Introduction to Modelling
McMaster University
Mar 2023
COVID-19 modelling in Ontario: past, present, future
Toronto Data Workshop
University of Toronto
Mar 2022
Forecasting the spread of new COVID-19 variants in Ontario
Colloquium, Department of Mathematics & Statistics
McMaster University
Jan 2022
COVID-19 forecasting in the era of vaccines and variants
Ecology, Evolution & Behaviour Seminar
McMaster University
Sep 2021
- Slides available online
COVID-19 forecasting in the era of vaccines and variants
PhD defense talk
Cornell University
Aug 2021
- Slides available online
Mathematical modelling to inform Ontario’s COVID-19 response: Successes, challenges, and lessons learned
2021 Canadian Applied and Industrial Mathematics Society Annual Meeting
Young Canadian Researchers - Contributions to Mathematical Modelling in Public Policy Session
University of Waterloo
Jun 2021
- Slides available online
From pandas to dplyr: R for Python users in data science
Introduction to Data Science - INFO 2950
Cornell University
Dec 2020
- Jupyter Notebook available online
COVID-19: what’s age got to do with it?
Topics in Mathematical Biology - MATH 747
McMaster University
Nov 2020
- Slides available online
Can seasonal influenza be eradicated under voluntary vaccination?
Applied Math Days
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Apr 2018
- Slides available online
Can seasonal influenza be eradicated under voluntary vaccination?
CAM Colloquially
Cornell University
Mar 2018
Fear (but not loathing) in epidemics: Giving a generalist talk
CAM Colloquially
Cornell University
Mar 2017
Fear (but not loathing) in epidemics
Current Research in Engineering, Science & Technology
McMaster University
Mar 2015
- Slides available online
(Don’t) Panic! – Modelling changes in human behaviour over the course of an infectious disease outbreak
Canadian Mathematical Society 2014 Winter Meeting
Dynamics of Biological Systems Session
McMaster University
Dec 2014
Equivalent dynamical effects of different seasonal forcing patterns in infectious disease transmission
2014 Southwestern Ontario Graduate Mathematics and Statistics Conference
University of Guelph
May 2014
Why Study Math?
2013 Canadian Undergraduate Mathematics Conference
Universite de Montreal
Jul 2013
Les equations differentielles et la diphterie: Les mathematiques qui decrient la diffusion des maladies infectieuses
2012 Canadian Undergraduate Mathematics Conference
University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus
Jul 2012
A Brief Exploration of Minimal Surfaces
2011 Canadian Undergraduate Mathematics Conference
Universite Laval
Jun 2011
Teaching
Short Course on Forecasting for Decision-Making
Canadian Ecological Forecasting Initiative
Fields Institute
Jul 2023 - Jul 2023
- One of four instructors for this short course with roughly 50 participants
- Developed openly-available teaching materials, including a COVID-19 forecasting case study, a git/GitHub primer, and an introduction to modelling lecture
My extensive experience teaching spans topics across mathematics, statistics, and computer science, in large and small classroom settings, in-person and online.
Introduction to Modelling
Department of Mathematics & Statistics
McMaster University
May 2022 - Jan 2022
- Sole course instructor for a third year course of 150 undergraduate students, leading a team of three teaching assistants
- Wrote and delivered lectures, designed assignments, and planned a group modelling project
- Coordinated grading for all assessments, designed rubrics, and assessed submissions for group project components
- Frequently corresponded with students over email, online discussion boards, and one-on-one in office hours
Introduction to Data Science
Department of Information Science
Cornell University
Dec 2020 - Feb 2020
- Teaching assistant for two iterations of this course
- Head teaching assistant in the Fall 2020 term, which involved additional responsibilities with respect to curriculum design, developing course materials, course administration, and organizing the instructional team
- Compiled an extensive course handbook in the Spring 2020 term, in response to the transition to emergency online learning in March 2020 due COVID-19 pandemic
- Led two to three weekly discussions of about 30 students each, which included preparing in-class materials as well as homework assignments
- Wrote detailed solutions to homework assignments
- Held weekly office hours and answered student questions on Campuswire
- Consulted with subsequent course instructors on curriculum and logistics
Basic Engineering Probability and Statistics
College of Engineering
Cornell University
Aug 2020 - Jun 2020
- Teaching assistant leading two weekly online code labs, which included preparing in-class materials
- Graded homework assignments and exams
- Held weekly office hours and answered student questions on Piazza
Differential Equations for Engineers
Department of Mathematics
Cornell University
Dec 2019 - Sep 2019
- Head teaching assistant, which included additional responsibilities with respect to course administration and organizing the instructional team
- Led two weekly discussions of roughly 30 students each, which included preparing worksheets and administering quizzes
- Wrote detailed solutions to homework problem sets
- Reviewed draft exams and provided suggestions for improvement
- Held weekly office hours and answered student questions on Piazza
Multivariable Calculus
Department of Mathematics
Cornell University
May 2019 - Feb 2019
- Teaching assistant leading two weekly discussions of roughly 30 students each, which included preparing worksheets and administering quizzes
- Provided constructive feedback on exam drafts
- Graded homework problem sets and exams
- Held weekly office hours and answered student questions on Piazza
Algorithms and Data Structures for Applications
Department of Computer Science
Cornell University
May 2019 - Feb 2019
- Teaching assistant writing, administering, and grading weekly online quizzes
- Provided constructive feedback on exam drafts
Statistical Methods I
Department of Biometry and Statistics
Cornell University
Dec 2016 - Oct 2016
- Teaching assistant grading assessments
Numerical Analysis I
Department of Mathematics
Cornell University
Dec 2016 - Sep 2016
- Teaching assistant hosting weekly office hours and answering student questions on Piazza
- Wrote detailed solutions to assignments
- Marked assignments, tests, and the final exam
Advanced Differential Equations
Department of Mathematics & Statistics
McMaster University
Dec 2014 - Sep 2014
- Teaching assistant leading a weekly tutorial of approximately 40 students
- Held weekly office hours
- Wrote detailed solutions to assignments
- Marked assignments, tests, and the final exam
- Developed marking comment documents to offer more detailed explanations of common errors in submitted student assignment solutions and to make grading more efficient and consistent
Calculus for Science II/Engineering Mathematics II
Department of Mathematics & Statistics
McMaster University
Apr 2014 - Jan 2014
- Teaching assistant leading three weekly tutorials of approximately 150 students each
- Held weekly office hours in the first year Math Help Centre, helping students in a variety of mathematics courses
- 98% of students that completed tutorial evaluations rated overall performance as “good” to “very good”, the top two performance rating categories
Calculus for Science I/Engineering Mathematics I
Department of Mathematics & Statistics
McMaster University
Dec 2013 - Sep 2013
- Teaching assistant leading two weekly tutorials of approximately 150 students each
- Held weekly office hours in the first year Math Help Centre
- Contributed midterm and exam questions
- 95% of students that completed tutorial evaluations rated overall performance as “good” to “very good”
Calculus
Arts & Science Program
McMaster University
Apr 2013 - Sep 2011
- Teaching assistant for two iterations of this course, leading a weekly tutorial of approximately 20 students
- Held weekly office hours
- Wrote and graded quizzes and exams
Outreach Writing
Ontario COVID-19 forecast, 17 Oct 2021
Papst I, Bolker BM, Dushoff J, Earn DJD
N/A
Oct 2021
https://mac-theobio.github.io/forecasts/outputs/McMasterOntarioForecastsBlog2021-10-17
Ontario COVID-19 forecast, 20 Sep 2021
Papst I, Bolker BM, Dushoff J, Earn DJD
N/A
Sep 2021
https://mac-theobio.github.io/forecasts/outputs/McMasterOntarioForecastsBlog2021-09-20
Ontario COVID-19 forecast, 5 June 2021
Papst I, Li M, Bolker BM, Dushoff J, Earn DJD
N/A
Jun 2021
https://mac-theobio.github.io/forecasts/outputs/McMasterOntarioForecastsBlog2021-06-05
Ontario COVID-19 forecast, 16 May 2021
Papst I, Li M, Bolker BM, Dushoff J, Earn DJD
N/A
May 2021
https://mac-theobio.github.io/forecasts/outputs/McMasterOntarioForecastsBlog2021-05-20
Ontario COVID-19 forecast, 9 May 2021
Li M, Papst I, Bolker BM, Dushoff J, Earn DJD
N/A
May 2021
https://mac-theobio.github.io/forecasts/outputs/McMasterOntarioForecastsBlog2021-05-09
Early prediction of Ontario’s third COVID-19 wave
Papst I, Li M, Bolker BM, Dushoff J, Earn DJD
N/A
Apr 2021
https://mac-theobio.github.io/forecasts/outputs/ON_accuracy.html
Rationally Irrational
Papst I, Pynn-Coates, N
N/A
Dec 2012
Tracking Deadly Diseases from Your Desk: A Brief Introduction to Epidemiological Modeling
Papst I
N/A
Nov 2012
A Biological Application of the Calculus of Variations
Papst, I
N/A
Sep 2011
Academic Conference Organization
Workshop Organizer, “The Canadian Network for Modelling Infectious Diseases: Progress and Next Steps”
N/A
Banff International Research Station
Nov 2023 - Nov 2023
Scientific Session Organizer
Canadian Mathematical Society 2014 Winter Meeting
McMaster University
Dec 2014
Workshop Organizer, “Keeping Science Tutorials Relevant”
McMaster Institute for Innovation and Excellence in Teaching and Learning – Teaching and Learning Forum
McMaster University
Sep 2014
Workshop Organizer, “You Probably Don’t Care About Math Education, But Maybe You Should”
Combining Two Cultures Conference
University of Waterloo
Jan 2012
Technology Co-Chair
Combining Two Cultures Conference
McMaster University
Jan 2011
Posters
Can a population self-organize into herd immunity for the flu?
Papst I, O’Keeffe KP, Strogatz SH
N/A
Mar 2018
Socioepidemiology Workshop
Mathematical Biosciences Institute
The Puzzling Persistence of Invading Pathogens
Earn DJD, Champredon D, DeJonge M, Drohan S, Hempel K, Molina C, Papst I, Rosati D, Bolker BM, Dushoff J
N/A
Jun 2014
2014 Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Disease Conference
Colorado State University
A Biological Application of the Calculus of Variations
Papst I
N/A
Nov 2011
Undergraduate Student Research Award Poster Session
McMaster University
Community Engagement and Leadership
COVID-19 Forecasting
Ontario Modelling Consensus Table
Ontario Science Advisory Table
May 2022 - Feb 2021
- Helped prepare short-term forecasts of SARS-CoV-2 infection reports and hospitalizations for the province of Ontario to help guide the public health response to the ongoing pandemic
- Automated aspects of the Table’s regular process to generate a consensus forecast
- Improved plots of the Table’s consensus forecast
Mentor
Association for Women in Mathematics
Cornell Chapter
Cornell University
May 2019 - Sep 2018
- Mentored two undergraduate women in a one-on-one setting
- Gave advice on courses, graduate studies, career trajectory, and work-life balance
- Participated in career-development workshops with mentees
Judge
Cornell Mathematical Contest in Modeling
Cornell University
Nov 2018 - Nov 2017
- Reviewed submissions for two iterations of this undergraduate contest in mathematical modelling
- Provided constructive and detailed feedback to participants
- Helped select teams to represent Cornell at the International Mathematical Contest in Modeling
Workshop Facilitator
Expanding Your Horizons Conference
Cornell University
Apr 2018
- Helped run several sessions in this math workshop of this conference, which brings girls in grades 7-9 to Cornell’s campus for a variety of interactive workshops and activities in STEM
Community Organizer
Center for Applied Mathematics
Cornell University
Sep 2020 - Sep 2015
- Webmaster for the Center for Applied Mathematics (CAM) Student Wiki between 2018 and 2020, during which time I organized a website migration and redesign
- Compiled a comprehensive and tidy CAM alumni database between 2017 and 2018 using various raw data sources
- Organized the Bill Sears Club between 2015 and 2016, a seminar meant for first year students to become familiar with the research programs of CAM-affiliated faculty members
- Regularly participated in CAM Visit Days for prospective students, and in several instances organized a social for women during the event
Registration Co-Chair
Expanding Your Horizons Conference
Cornell University
Apr 2019
- Major organizer of a large conference bringing girls in grades 7-9 to Cornell’s campus for a variety of interactive workshops and activities in STEM
- Part of a three-person team that organized registration for the entire conference, with rougly 380 participants and 150 adult chaperones
- Maintained the registration database in SQL, collected and recorded payments, and provided attendee information to other conference chairs
- Organized check-in on the day of the conference
Chair
Student Committee
Canadian Mathematical Society
Sep 2015 - Sep 2012
- Oversaw and delegated committee projects such as the organization of competitive poster sessions and workshops, the administration a student activities fund, and the publication of Notes from the Margin
- Oversaw the yearly local organization of the Canadian Undergraduate Mathematics Conference, including the administration of the bidding and transition process
- Undertook a thorough update of the committee operating manual, to help ensure consistency in committee activities amid relatively frequent membership turnover
- Prepared year-end reports and budget proposals for the committee
- Was a member of the CMS Board of Directors with voting rights
President
Society of Arts & Science Students
McMaster University
Apr 2013 - Sep 2012
- Acted as a liaison between the Society of Arts & Science (SASS) Students and the Arts & Science Program
- Chaired weekly SASS Executive Council meetings and ensured that all members of the council were fulfilling their duties
- Spearheaded the creation of an Executive Council transition manual to aid in the smooth annual changeover of council members
- Elected by SASS, with approximate membership of 240 students
My demonstrated commitment to community engagement and leadership activities reflect my desire to enhance every community of which I’m a part.
Awards
Alexander Graham Bell Postgraduate Scholarship (Doctoral)
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
$63,000 (CAD)
Cornell University
Apr 2018 - Apr 2015
- Three-year award ($21,000/year) given on the basis of academic excellence, research ability or potential, as well as communication, interpersonal, and leadership abilities
- Originally awarded a Canada Graduate Scholarship ($ 35,000/year for three years), but accepted a Postgraduate Scholarship to be able to hold it at a foreign institution
Ontario Graduate Scholarship
Ontario Student Assistance Program
$15,000 (CAD)
Government of Ontario
Sep 2014
- Awarded on the basis of academic excellence
Milos Novotny Fellowship
Department of Mathematics & Statistics
$2,500 (CAD)
McMaster University
Sep 2014
- For students entering the graduate program who show outstanding potential or have demonstrated excellence in their studies and research
Research Scholarship
Department of Mathematics & Statistics
$2,500 (CAD)
McMaster University
Sep 2014
Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarship (Masters)
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
$17,500 (CAD)
McMaster University
Sep 2014 - Sep 2013
- Awarded on the basis of academic excellence, research potential, personal characteristics, and interpersonal skills
- One of only 800 offers made nationally to 1575 applicants forwarded from Canadian institutions after competitive internal screening processes
Milos Novotny Fellowship
Department of Mathematics & Statistics
$4,000 (CAD)
McMaster University
Sep 2013
- For students entering the graduate program who show outstanding potential or have demonstrated excellence in their studies and research
Entrance Scholarship
Department of Mathematics & Statistics
$2,000 (CAD)
McMaster University
Sep 2013
Student Scholarship Award
McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd
$1,000 (CAD)
N/A
Sep 2013
- For an undergraduate student who demonstrates academic and personal integrity, engagement, initiative, and enhances the teaching and learning environment
- One of twenty recipients nation-wide
The Class of 1953 50th Anniversary Scholarships
Arts & Science Program
$1,500 (CAD)
McMaster University
Sep 2012
- For students in second year and beyond in a program in Arts & Science who, in the judgement of the Arts & Science Program, have attained high academic standing and demonstrated community involvement
The Dr. and Mrs. F.R. Britton Scholarship in Mathematics
Department of Mathematics & Statistics
$1,200 (CAD)
McMaster University
Sep 2012 - Sep 2011
- For a student who has completed first year and an additional 29-45 units of an Honours program in the Mathematical Sciences who attains the highest Sessional Average in the 2010-2011 academic year
Undergraduate Student Research Award
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
$6,500 (CAD)
N/A
Aug 2012 - May 2012
- Award held at McMaster University, under the supervision of Dr. David Earn
- Research on mathematical modelling of childhood infectious disease spread
Student Summer Fellowship
M.G. DeGroote Institute of Infectious Disease Research
$1,000 (CAD)
McMaster University
May 2012
Canadian Undergraduate Mathematics Conference Award for Excellence
Student Committee
$500 (CAD)
Canadian Mathematical Society
May 2012
- For an undergraduate student demonstrating university and mathematical community involvement, academic excellence, and research potential, for the purpose of participating in the Canadian Undergraduate Mathematics Conference
Participation Fellowship
Two Weeks at Waterloo: A Summer School for Women in Math
University of Waterloo
May 2012
- Selected as one of 16 students nationally to take part in this mathematics enrichment program for outstanding senior female undergraduates
The Dr. Harry Lyman Hooker Scholarship
Arts & Science Program
$1,500 (CAD)
McMaster University
Sep 2011
- For overall academic excellence in the 2010-2011 academic year
- Awarded to the top 6% of students in the Arts & Science Program based on Sessional Average
Undergraduate Student Research Award
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
$6,500 (CAD)
N/A
Aug 2011 - May 2011
- Award held at McMaster University, under the supervision of Dr. Lia Bronsard
- Research on mathematical modelling of protein folding using the calculus of variations
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Last updated on 11 Aug 24.