Speaker: Prof. Bernd Hellingrath and Johannes Ponge

Abstract: Information Systems research is inherently interdisciplinary as it emphasizes the integration of technology and data analytics in solving real-world problems across domains, including public health. For the last ten years, the ERCIS Competence Center for Crisis Management (C3M) has been involved in a number of research projects developing simulation-based tools to understand, forecast, and eventually support decision-making to mitigate infectious disease epidemics. The journey started with a bachelor’s project seminar in 2014, and a milestone in developing the German Epidemic Microsimulation System (GEMS) was now achieved. In this talk, we will take you along the journey, highlighting some of our projects, explaining why the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything, and presenting the GEMS framework and its usage. The interdisciplinary nature of the work led to the recent establishment of the Interdisciplinary Center for Mathematical Modeling of Infectious Disease Dynamics (IMMIDD) at the University of Münster, which we will briefly introduce. Finally, we will argue why epidemiology needs (more) information systems researchers!

Short Bio: 

Bernd Hellingrath is a professor at the Information Systems department at the University, heading the research group on Supply Chain Management. His research focuses on the application of information systems in crisis management, processes, and systems for the integration of supply chains and their digitalization. He is a founding member and academic director of the ERCIS Competence Center for Crisis Management (C3M). He is also one of the founders of the Interdisciplinary Center for Mathematical Modeling of Infectious Disease Dynamics (IMMIDD) and a member of the executive board.

Johannes Ponge holds a master’s degree in information systems from the University of Münster and works as a research assistant at the IS department while pursuing a PhD in epidemiology. His research focuses on mathematical models of infectious diseases, simulation-based disease control and prevention, as well as public health decision support. He is currently leading the development of the German Epidemic Microsimulation System (GEMS) within one of the largest German infectious disease modeling projects called OptimAgent. Johannes is a member of the Modeling Network for Severe Infectious Diseases (MONID) and a founding member of the Interdisciplinary Center for Mathematical Modeling of Infectious Disease Dynamics (IMMIDD) at the University of Münster and a member of its executive board.