InForMID
Tufts Initiative for the Forecasting and Modeling of Infectious Diseases
InForMID
Tufts Initiative for the Forecasting and Modeling of Infectious Diseases

Maia Tarnas

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Education
• BA, 2019, Community Health, School of Arts and Sciences, Tufts University
• BA, 2019, Middle Eastern Studies, School of Arts and Sciences, Tufts University

Research Interests
• Modeling infectious disease trends in areas impacted by conflict and conflict-related migration
• Evaluating the role of disease in conflict with emphasis on the use of disease as a weapon
• Assessing formal and informal disease surveillance systems during conflict
• Evaluating the role of stress on the spread and progression of infectious diseases





Research Highlights

Tarnas M, Desai A, Lassmann B, Abbara A (2020). Increase in vector-borne disease reporting affecting humans and animals in Syria and neighboring countries before and after the onset of conflict: a ProMED analysis 2003-2018. International Journal of Infectious Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2020.09.1453Link: https://www.ijidonline.com/article/S1201-9712(20)32169-X/fulltext

Honors and Awards
  • Phi Beta Kappa, Tufts University, 2019
  • Highest Thesis Honors, Tufts University, 2019
  • Tisch Undergraduate Research Award, Tufts University, 2019
  • Manogue Family Endowed Scholarship, Tufts University, 2017-2019
  • Janice Calkin Community Health Award, Tufts University, 2018
Teaching Experience
  • Introduction to Global Health. Undergraduate course, Tufts University. Teaching Assistant (Fall 2019, Spring 2020)
  • Academic Resource Center. Undergraduate students, Tufts University. Head Statistics for Health Application Tutor (Fall 2018)
  • Academic Resource Center. Undergraduate students, Tufts University. Head Arabic Tutor (Fall 2018, Spring 2019)
Professional Experience
  • Massachusetts Tuberculosis Drug Assistance Program Coordinator. Community Research Initiative. Charlestown, MA. February 2020 - present.
  • Massachusetts Tuberculosis Drug Assistance Program Specialist. Community Research Initiative. Charlestown, MA. September 2019 - February 2020
  • Research Intern. International Society for Infectious Diseases. Brookline, MA. January – May 2019.
  • Health Policy Intern. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. June – August 2017
Presentations
  • Tarnas M, Lassmann B, Desai A, Abbara A (2020 - Canceled). Impact of the Syrian Conflict on Vector-Borne Disease Trends in Syria and Neighboring Countries: A One Health ProMED Analysis Between 2003 to 2018. 19th International Congress on Infectious Diseases. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Poster presentation).
  • Tarnas M, Babool S, Simpson RB, Kaminski PM, Naumova EN (2020 - Canceled). Risks of Cholera Transmission Amplified by the War Conflicts in Yemen, 2016-2018. 11th Annual Consortium of Universities for Global Health Conference. Washington, DC (Poster presentation)
  • Babool S, Tarnas M, Simpson RB, Kaminski PM, Naumova EN (2020 - Canceled). Understanding of the Cholera Outbreak Patterns in Yemen's Governances during the Civil War, 2016-2018. 11th Annual Consortium of Universities for Global Health Conference. Washington, DC (Poster presentation)
  • Simpson RB, Tarnas M, Babool S, Kaminski PM, Venkat A, Naumova EN (2020 - Canceled). Intentionally Broken Barriers and Cascading Risk of Cholera Spread in Yemen, 2016-2018. 11th Annual Consortium of Universities for Global Health Conference. Washington, DC (Poster presentation)
  • Tarnas M (2019). The Weaponization of Disease in the Yemeni and Syrian Civil Wars. Tufts University Undergraduate Research Symposium. Tufts University. Medford, Massachusetts (Oral Presentation).
  • Tarnas M (2019). The Role of Stress in the Spread and Progression of Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Men Who Have Sex with Men. Tisch Undergraduate Research Award Presentations. Tufts University. Medford, Massachusetts (Poster Presentation).
Publications

Published

  • Tarnas M, Desai A, Lassmann B, Abbara A (2020). Increase in vector-borne disease reporting affecting humans and animals in Syria and neighboring countries before and after the onset of conflict: a ProMED analysis 2003-2018. International Journal of Infectious Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2020.09.1453 

In Preparation

  • Simpson RB, Babool S, Tarnas M, Kaminski PM, Hartwick MA, Naumova EN. Application of dynamic mapping for understanding cholera and conflict during the Yemen Civil War, 2016-2019. Anticipated Submission to Nature Data
  • Simpson RB, Babool S, Tarnas M, Kaminski PM, Hartwick MA, Naumova EN. An examination of seasonal signatures of cholera infection during the Yemen Civil War, 2016-2019. Anticipated Submission to Lancet Global Health.