Sindiso Nyathi Email and Phone Number

My current research focuses on the molecular epidemiology and evolution of SARS-CoV-2. I am working with large multi-type datasets that include genomic data, viral sequencing data and electronic health record data, along with statistical and mechanistic modeling tools, to investigate the emergence and subsequent spread of SARS-CoV-2 novel variants of concern. My work will contribute to our understanding of the short- and longterm behaviour of important pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2, dengue virus, in human populations, and contribute to pandemic preparedness and response to future pathogens.

I am currently pursuing a PhD in Epidemiology at Stanford University. My research interests include Global Health, Infectious Disease Modeling, Epidemiology in Genomics and Health Policy, all directed toward Low and Middle Income Countries. I am interested in working to leverage the range of mathematical, statistical and computational tools available today to improve public health and combat disease in LMICs.

As a Residential College advisor my responsibilities include monitoring students living environment, ensuring maintainance of a healthy community atmosphere and upholding of a community standard with regard to general student interactions and use of spaces. My responsibilities also include creating a healthy and friendly community environment, catering to students academic needs, and acting as a source of information regarding the use and availability of resources around campus. Within the community, the Residential College Advisor is also responsible for resolving conflict, and addressing any immediate problems that occur, either by solving the problems or informing the relevant campus official. In order to maintain a healthy social atmosphere the RCA also facilitates dialogue on community standards, healthy habits, campus issues and other topics of interest that may affect the Princeton Student experience.

I worked with Operation Wallacea over the summer of 2015. My role at the Tela Marine Research Center was as a research assistant. During my time there I collected data to use on my final undergraduate project. I was part of a larger project whose goal is to examine the role of sea urchins in promoting coral health and recovery. My primary responsibility was collection of coral reef and sea urchin data using SCUBA at 6 sites in Tela Bay. Coral reef, sea urchin and herbivorous fish data was collected over 8 weeks using various techniques ranging from Stereo Video Surveys to visual surveys of transects. In addition sea urchin biometric data was collected. I was also part of a second group whose goal was to begin a coral restoration project. The project would use breezeblocks to provide artificial habitats for sea urchins as well as an artificial substrate for coral reefs, both meant to promote coral colonization of new, and restoration of degraded areas. I conducted statistical analysis on the data collected using R and Matlab. The findings of my final undergraduate project (senior thesis) were presented at Princeton University in fulfillment of the Independent work requirement.

I worked as a research intern in the Caylor Lab, under professors Kelly Caylor and Adam Wolf. The goal of the lab was to develop a hydrological model of a tree in order to understand water use and competition. My role in the lab was to design and implement a system to collect data on water use in trees, and analyse the data collected. I designed and built a set of sensors that used the sap flow of a tree to measure its water use. I conducted beta tests on the sensors and subsequently deployed them in the field. I used data-loggers to monitor them over the course of 12 weeks in the summer of 2013. I collected data from the sensor systems regularly, and monitored their functionality, conducting trouble shooting when problems arose. I also performed statistical analysis on the data using Matlab. I was also part of a secondary project whose task was to design a mechanical system to control water exposure of trees in a forest.