Benjamin Roche

My research is focusing on understanding what key inter-disciplinary insights can be gleaned from bringing together the fields of evolutionary ecology and public health, especially through data analysis, mathematical modeling and phylodynamics approach. I am studying how host and pathogen diversities may affect zoonotic diseases emergence and propagation, and how integrated prevention strategies can reduce this risk. I am also working on the interactions between ecological and societal processes in pathogen spread, especially human behavior. Beyond infectious disease epidemiology, I study the impact of pathogen community structure on cancer incidence and severity. Finally, I am developing theoretical models relying on experimental data to understand how "adaptive therapy" can be applied to chemotherapy treatment in order to delay the emergence of drug resistance. In addition of my research activities, I am also working with numerous national and international health authorities to oversee the development of decision support tools (I have advised two governments during the COVID-19 crisis for public health policy support) as well as developing and implementing prevention programs against new pandemic at an international level, such as the PREZODE initiative. Therefore, while deeply rooted in fundamental research, my projects also offer translational opportunities that are investigated to improve public health strategies, especially in low-income countries.