Events
NDMC Talk series: Invited talk by Dr. Nikhil Pal, Assistant Professor, Visva Bharati University, Shantiniketan
June 24, 2026
NDMC hosted an online invited talk by Dr. Nikhil Pal on “Mathematical Modeling of Tuberculosis: Effects of Multiple Latent Classes, Saturated Treatment, and Clean Cooking Fuel Programs”
Dr. Nikhil Pal is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan. His research focuses on the exploration of complex dynamical behaviors of both continuous-time and discrete-time nonlinear systems in parameter spaces. He has published more than seventy articles in peer-reviewed international journals.
Abstract
Mathematical modeling provides a valuable framework for understanding complex ecological and epidemiological systems. This talk begins with a brief overview of the exploration of nonlinear dynamical behaviors in biparameter spaces and their applications to real-world mathematical models. The second part focuses on a tuberculosis (TB) transmission model with two latent classes representing recent and remote latent infections. The model examines the effects of exogenous reinfection and saturated treatment on TB dynamics. Analytical and numerical results reveal how disease transmission and limitations in treatment capacity influence the basic reproduction number, disease persistence, and the effectiveness of control interventions. The final part of the talk presents a modeling study evaluating the impact of India's Prime Minister's Clean Cooking Fuel Scheme on the TB burden. By combining epidemiological data with trends in clean fuel adoption, the study estimates the number of TB cases and deaths averted through reduced exposure to household air pollution. Overall, the talk highlights the potential of mathematical modeling to understand complex dynamics and guide public health decision-making.