COVID-19 Modeling

As with most institutions of higher learning worldwide, Boston University’s goal of reopening at some appropriate level in the Fall of 2020 is impacted by many factors.  Spearheaded by Hariri Institute director, Eric Kolaczyk, throughout the summer of 2020, a team of researchers around the Hariri Institute conducted a detailed modeling exercise to provide insight into the expected relative efficacy of potential interventions taken around a Fall 2020 BU re-opening. 

Our approach was to do so in a manner informed as much as reasonably possible by BU data, with a focus primarily on the dynamics around  (i) classroom instruction, and (ii) residential housing.  In turn, we are making available our software and model parameters, to facilitate other institutions conducting similar analyses.

Katia Bulekova1, Brian Gregor1, Eric D. Kolaczyk2,3, Wenrui Li3, Laura White4

  • 1 Research Computing Services, IS&T, Boston University
  • 2 Hariri Institute for Computing, Director, Boston University
  • 3 Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Boston University
  • 4 Department of Biostatistics, Boston University
  • Katia Bulekova
    Research Computing Services, IS&T, Boston University
  • Brian Gregor
    Research Computing Services, IS&T, Boston University
  • Eric D. Kolaczyk
    Hariri Institute for Computing, Director, Boston University
    Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Boston University
  • Wenrui Li
    Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Boston University
  • Laura White
    Department of Biostatistics, Boston University