Authors

Kerry A. Hamilton, Arizona State University
Joanna Ciol Harrison, Arizona State University
Jade Mitchell, Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering
Mark Weir, The Ohio State University
Marc Verhougstraete, The University of Arizona
Charles N. Haas, Drexel University College of Engineering
A. Pouyan Nejadhashemi, Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering
Julie Libarkin, Michigan State University
Tiong Gim Aw, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
Kyle Bibby, College of Engineering
Aaron Bivins, LSU College of Engineering
Joe Brown, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering
Kara Dean, Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering
Gwyneth Dunbar, Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering
Joseph N.S. Eisenberg, University of Michigan School of Public Health
Monica Emelko, University of Waterloo
Daniel Gerrity, Southern Nevada Water Authority
Patrick L. Gurian, Drexel University College of Engineering
Emma Hartnett, Risk Sciences International, Ottawa
Michael Jahne, United States Environmental Protection Agency
Rachael M. Jones, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health
Timothy R. Julian, Eawag - Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology
Hongwan Li, Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering
Yanbin Li, College of Engineering
Jacqueline Mac Donald Gibson, NC State College of Engineering
Gertjan Medema, KWR Water Research Institute
J. Scott Meschke, University of Washington
Alexis Mraz, The College of New Jersey
Heather Murphy, Ontario Veterinary College
David Oryang, Food and Drug Administration
Emmanuel de Graft Johnson Owusu-Ansah, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology
Emily Pasek, Michigan State University
Abani K. Pradhan, University of Maryland, College Park

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-1-2024

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic highlighted the need for more rapid and routine application of modeling approaches such as quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) for protecting public health. QMRA is a transdisciplinary science dedicated to understanding, predicting, and mitigating infectious disease risks. To better equip QMRA researchers to inform policy and public health management, an Advances in Research for QMRA workshop was held to synthesize a path forward for QMRA research. We summarize insights from 41 QMRA researchers and experts to clarify the role of QMRA in risk analysis by (1) identifying key research needs, (2) highlighting emerging applications of QMRA; and (3) describing data needs and key scientific efforts to improve the science of QMRA. Key identified research priorities included using molecular tools in QMRA, advancing dose–response methodology, addressing needed exposure assessments, harmonizing environmental monitoring for QMRA, unifying a divide between disease transmission and QMRA models, calibrating and/or validating QMRA models, modeling co-exposures and mixtures, and standardizing practices for incorporating variability and uncertainty throughout the source-to-outcome continuum. Cross-cutting needs identified were to: develop a community of research and practice, integrate QMRA with other scientific approaches, increase QMRA translation and impacts, build communication strategies, and encourage sustainable funding mechanisms. Ultimately, a vision for advancing the science of QMRA is outlined for informing national to global health assessments, controls, and policies.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Risk Analysis

First Page

2521

Last Page

2536

Share

COinS