Paulo Ventura is a postdoctoral research fellow in the CEPH Lab. He received a PhD degree in Physics from University of São Paulo in 2022, with a thesis on contagion processes in complex networks. His current research is centered on infectious diseases dynamics, aimed both at refining epidemiological theory and providing practical knowledge to enhance situational awareness.
On his research in infectious diseases epidemiology, Dr. Ventura led the development of multiple mathematical models for the CEPH Lab team, including VIBES – A multiscale model for respiratory diseases that resulted in a publication in PNAS. He also developed and currently maintains a forecasting framework for respiratory diseases, which is currently in use to provide weekly forecasts for the CDC’s FluSight, the COVID-19 Forecast Hub and the RSV Forecast Hub. Dr. Ventura has also participated as lead and co-developer of models for the first three editions of the RSV Scenario Modeling Hub and the 2025-26 Flu Scenario Modeling Hub.
Dr. Ventura applies modeling into topics relevant to vector-borne diseases, including a short-term forecasting study of Aedes aegypti mosquito population in urban areas of the USA, and an investigation on how daily activity patterns of humans and mosquitoes shape the exposure to mosquito-borne infections.
Dr. Ventura has served as a secondary mentor for multiple students and interns at the CEPH Lab, helping them develop technical skills for mathematical modeling and guiding them through research projects.