Overview
Background
Dr Helen Mayfield is an interdisciplinary researcher whose work lies at the intersection of epidemiology, infectious diseases and environmental conservation. With a decade of experience studying zoonotic and vector-borne diseases, she employs advanced data modelling techniques like Bayesian networks and spatial models to explore the environmental drivers of disease. Helen holds a PhD in machine learning for environmental management. Her research focus is on refining and testing new disease surveillance methods and strategies, such as molecular xenomonitoring of mosquitoes, and targeted sampling to combat lymphatic filariasis in the Pacific islands. In addition, her current project collaborating with the NSW Saving our Species programme aims to facilitate adaptive management for threatened species using structured expert knowledge to improve decision outcomes for biodiversity.
Helen teaches in courses for conservation planning and practice, and conservation policy. She is currently president of the Bayesian Network Modelling Association and a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Decision Science Working Group.
Availability
- Dr Helen Mayfield is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
- Member, Australasian Bayesian Network Society, Australasian Bayesian Network Society
- Member, Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science
- Collaboration / Affiliation, Griffith University Systems Modelling Group, Griffith University Systems Modelling Group
- Associate Fellow, QUT Centre for Data Science, QUT Centre for Data Science
Research interests
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Improving indicator selection and design
In both conservation science and infectious disease epidemiology, what we measure and how, will affect how accurately we detect changes in the system. This could be as part of a threatened species management plan or for informing programmatic decisions for disease elimination. By exploring alternative indicators and sampling methods, we can improve our understanding of the system to informed management decisions.
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Linking local environments to infectious disease risk
The environment where we live and work can affect our exposure to vector-borne or zoonotic diseases. This potentially creates win-win scenarios where we can optimise interventions so that they benefit both people and nature.
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Decision support and analysis tools
Tools and models that help to structure and analyse data from a range of sources including academic studies, monitoring and expert elicitation can facilitate informed decision making. This is equally true in data-rich and data-poor scenarios. Using the right modelling technique to suit the problem at hand, and making the tool user-friendly for the intended audience are crucial for ensuring the product is fit-for-purpose
Works
Search Professor Helen Mayfield’s works on UQ eSpace
2021
Other Outputs
Designing an evidence-based Bayesian network for estimating the risk versus benefits of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
Mayfield, Helen J., Lau, Colleen L., Sinclair, Jane E., Brown, Samuel J., Baird, Andrew, Litt, John, Vuorinen, Aapeli, Short, Kirsty R., Waller, Michael and Mengersen, Kerrie (2021). Designing an evidence-based Bayesian network for estimating the risk versus benefits of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. doi: 10.1101/2021.10.28.21265588
2021
Other Outputs
Risk-benefit analysis of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in Australia using a Bayesian network modelling framework
Lau, Colleen L, Mayfield, Helen J, Sinclair, Jane E, Brown, Samuel J, Waller, Michael, Enjeti, Anoop K, Baird, Andrew, Short, Kirsty, Mengersen, Kerrie and Litt, John (2021). Risk-benefit analysis of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in Australia using a Bayesian network modelling framework. doi: 10.1101/2021.09.30.21264337
2021
Journal Article
Implications of a travel connectivity-based approach for infectious disease transmission risks in Oceania
Cadavid Restrepo, Angela, Furuya-Kanamori, Luis, Mayfield, Helen, Nilles, Eric and Lau, Colleen L. (2021). Implications of a travel connectivity-based approach for infectious disease transmission risks in Oceania. BMJ Open, 11 (8) e046206, e046206. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046206
2021
Journal Article
WWT London Wetland Centre - the first 20 years
Bullock, Rich, Arbon, John, Arnold, Laurence, Briggs, Philip, Haines, Bill, Honey, Martin, Hutchins, Emma, Klavins, Jake, Mayfield, Helen, Salmon, Adam, Smallshire, Penny and Widdowson, David (2021). WWT London Wetland Centre - the first 20 years. British Wildlife, 32 (8), 584-591.
2021
Journal Article
Novel statistical approaches to identify risk factors for soil-transmitted helminth infection in Timor-Leste
Yi Han Aw, Jessica, Clarke, Naomi E., Mayfield, Helen, Lau, Colleen L., Richardson, Alice and Nery, Susana V. (2021). Novel statistical approaches to identify risk factors for soil-transmitted helminth infection in Timor-Leste. International Journal for Parasitology, 51 (9), 729-739. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2021.01.005
2021
Book Chapter
Control and elimination of lymphatic filariasis in Oceania: prevalence, geographical distribution, mass drug administration, and surveillance in Samoa, 1998–2017
Graves, Patricia, Joseph, Hayley, Coutts, Shaun P., Mayfield, Helen J., Maiava, Fuatai, Leong-Lui, Tile Ann Ah, Toelupe, Palanitina Tupuimatagi, Iosia, Vailolo Toeaso, Loau, Siatua, Pemita, Paulo, Naseri, Take, Thomsen, Robert, Berg Soto, Alvaro Berg, Burkot, Thomas R., Wood, Peter, Melrose, Wayne, Aratchige, Padmasiri, Capuano, Corinne, Kim, Sung Hye, Ozaki, Masayo, Yajima, Aya, Lammie, Patrick J., Ottesen, Eric, Hansell, Lepaitai, Baghirov, Rasul, Lau, Colleen L. and Ichimori, Kazuyo (2021). Control and elimination of lymphatic filariasis in Oceania: prevalence, geographical distribution, mass drug administration, and surveillance in Samoa, 1998–2017. Advances in parasitology. (pp. 27-73) edited by David Rollinson and Russell Stothard. San Diego, CA, United States: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/bs.apar.2021.03.002
2021
Other Outputs
RestEcol Supplementary Data
Gibson, Michelle, Walsh, Jessica, Mayfield, Helen, Friedman, Rachel and Powell, Owen (2021). RestEcol Supplementary Data. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/340b96d
2020
Journal Article
Supporting elimination of lymphatic filariasis in Samoa by predicting locations of residual infection using machine learning and geostatistics
Mayfield, Helen J., Sturrock, Hugh, Arnold, Benjamin F., Andrade-Pacheco, Ricardo, Kearns, Therese, Graves, Patricia, Naseri, Take, Thomsen, Robert, Gass, Katherine and Lau, Colleen L. (2020). Supporting elimination of lymphatic filariasis in Samoa by predicting locations of residual infection using machine learning and geostatistics. Scientific Reports, 10 (1) 20570, 1-11. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-77519-8
2020
Journal Article
Lymphatic filariasis epidemiology in Samoa in 2018: geographic clustering and higher antigen prevalence in older age groups
Lau, Colleen L., Meder, Kelley, Mayfield, Helen J., Kearns, Therese, McPherson, Brady, Naseri, Take, Thomsen, Robert, Hedtke, Shannon M., Sheridan, Sarah, Gass, Katherine and Graves, Patricia M. (2020). Lymphatic filariasis epidemiology in Samoa in 2018: geographic clustering and higher antigen prevalence in older age groups. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 14 (12) e0008927, 1-22. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008927
2020
Conference Publication
Evidence-based conservation for Australian woodland birds: a systematic review
Walsh, J., Gibson, M., Bracy, C., Freidman, R., Mayfield, H., Melton, C., Reside, A., Simmonds, J. and Maron, M. (2020). Evidence-based conservation for Australian woodland birds: a systematic review . Ecological Society of Australia, 60th Annual Conference, Virtual, 30 November-4 December 2020. Ecological Society of Australia.
2020
Journal Article
A community survey of coverage and adverse events following country-wide triple-drug mass drug administration for lymphatic filariasis elimination, Samoa 2018
Willis, Gabriela A., Mayfield, Helen J., Kearns, Therese, Naseri, Take, Thomsen, Robert, Gass, Katherine, Sheridan, Sarah, Graves, Patricia M. and Lau, Colleen L. (2020). A community survey of coverage and adverse events following country-wide triple-drug mass drug administration for lymphatic filariasis elimination, Samoa 2018. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 14 (11) e0008854, 1-18. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008854
2020
Conference Publication
How the Saving our Species program ensures threatened species monitoring leads to conservation outcomes
Hansen, N. and Mayfield, H. (2020). How the Saving our Species program ensures threatened species monitoring leads to conservation outcomes. 60th Annual Conference of the Ecological Society of Australia, Virtual, 30 November – 4 December 2020.
2020
Journal Article
Estimating species response to management using an integrated process: a case study from New South Wales, Australia
Mayfield, Helen J., Brazill‐Boast, James, Gorrod, Emma, Evans, Megan C., Auld, Tony, Rhodes, Jonathan R. and Maron, Martine (2020). Estimating species response to management using an integrated process: a case study from New South Wales, Australia. Conservation Science and Practice, 2 (11) e269. doi: 10.1111/csp2.269
2020
Other Outputs
Saving our species: guidelines for estimating and evaluating species' response to management
Mayfield, Helen, Rhodes, Jonathan, Evans, Megan and Maron, Martine (2020). Saving our species: guidelines for estimating and evaluating species' response to management. Sydney, NSW, Australia: NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.
2020
Journal Article
Impact of 2019–2020 mega-fires on Australian fauna habitat
Ward, Michelle, Tulloch, Ayesha I. T., Radford, James Q., Williams, Brooke A., Reside, April E., Macdonald, Stewart L., Mayfield, Helen J., Maron, Martine, Possingham, Hugh P., Vine, Samantha J., O’Connor, James L., Massingham, Emily J., Greenville, Aaron C., Woinarski, John C. Z., Garnett, Stephen T., Lintermans, Mark, Scheele, Ben C., Carwardine, Josie, Nimmo, Dale G., Lindenmayer, David B., Kooyman, Robert M., Simmonds, Jeremy S., Sonter, Laura J. and Watson, James E. M. (2020). Impact of 2019–2020 mega-fires on Australian fauna habitat. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 4 (10), 1321-1326. doi: 10.1038/s41559-020-1251-1
2020
Journal Article
Considerations for selecting a machine learning technique for predicting deforestation
Mayfield, Helen J. , Smith, Carl , Gallagher, Marcus and Hockings, Marc (2020). Considerations for selecting a machine learning technique for predicting deforestation. Environmental Modelling and Software, 131 104741, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2020.104741
2020
Other Outputs
Six million hectares of threatened species habitat up in smoke
Ward, Michelle, Greenville, Aaron, Reside, April, Tulloch, Ayesha, Williams, Brooke, Massingham, Emily, Mayfield, Helen, Possingham, Hugh, Watson, James, Radford, Jim and Sonter, Laura (2020, 01 19). Six million hectares of threatened species habitat up in smoke The Conversation
2020
Journal Article
Travel connectivity and infectious disease transmission risks in Oceania
Cadavid Restrepo, Angela Maria, Furuya-Kanamori, Luis, Mayfield, Helen, Nilles, Eric J. and Lau, Colleen L. (2020). Travel connectivity and infectious disease transmission risks in Oceania. SSRN Electronic Journal. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.3709854
2019
Journal Article
Collaboration across boundaries in the Amazon
Prist, Paula Ribeiro, Levin, Noam, Metzger, Jean Paul, de Mello, Kaline, de Paula Costa, Micheli Duarte, Castagnino, Romi, Cortes-Ramirez, Javier, Lin, Da-Li, Butt, Nathalie, Lloyd, Thomas J., López-Cubillos, Sofía, Mayfield, Helen J., Negret, Pablo José, Oliveira-Bevan, Isabella, Reside, April E., Rhodes, Jonathan R., Simmons, B. Alexander, Suárez-Castro, A. Felipe and Kark, Salit (2019). Collaboration across boundaries in the Amazon. Science, 366 (6466), 699.1-700. doi: 10.1126/science.aaz7489
2019
Journal Article
Use of a structure aware discretisation algorithm for Bayesian networks applied to water quality predictions
Mayfield, Helen J., Bertone, Edoardo, Smith, Carl and Sahin, Oz (2019). Use of a structure aware discretisation algorithm for Bayesian networks applied to water quality predictions. Mathematics and Computers in Simulation, 175, 192-201. doi: 10.1016/j.matcom.2019.07.005
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Helen Mayfield is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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Analysing antibodies as indicators for lymphatic filariasis surveillance in Samoa using Bayesian networks.
Location: UQ CCR, Herston
Description: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a mosquito-transmitted disease which causes a significant disease burden, particularly in low-income countries. Surveillance plays a crucial role in global elimination efforts, with human antigen being the most widely used indicator. There is evidence however that antibodies may be more sensitive than antigen for detecting changes in infection prevalence. This project will use an established methodology (https://shorturl.at/fqzAP) to design and implement a data-driven Bayesian network model to evaluate the relative utility of different infection markers for detecting signals of transmission in Samoa.
Expected outcomes and deliverables: The student will develop skills in Bayesian network modelling and an understanding of how data modelling can be applied to operational research in infectious diseases. Deliverables will be a fully parameterised Bayesian network, and a report including a sensitivity analysis and discussion. Upon completion of the project, there will be an opportunity to write up and publish the results as a scientific paper.
Suitable for: Students with basic epidemiology, good analytical skills and in interest in data science. No previous knowledge of Bayesian networks is assumed.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Delivering human and ecosystem health co-benefits through integrated watewater management: improving disease prevention, fisheries, and marine environments in Fiji
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Amelia Wenger, Professor Colleen Lau, Associate Professor Carissa Klein
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Doctor Philosophy
Spatio-temporal epidemiology of vector-borne diseases in the Dominican Republic
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Angela Cadavid Restrepo, Associate Professor Benn Sartorius, Professor Colleen Lau
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Doctor Philosophy
Delivering human and ecosystem health co-benefits through integrated watewater management: improving disease prevention, fisheries, and marine environments in Fiji
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Colleen Lau, Dr Amelia Wenger, Associate Professor Carissa Klein
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Doctor Philosophy
The long-term cardiovascular complications of COVID-19
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Colleen Lau, Professor Nathan Palpant, Professor Kirsty Short
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Doctor Philosophy
The long-term cardiovascular complications of COVID-19
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Colleen Lau, Professor Nathan Palpant, Professor Kirsty Short
Media
Enquiries
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