Full Member
Laurette Mhlanga
Membership since:
2025
Field of activity:
Degrees:
2016
Master Mathematical sciences
I graduated from AIMS Tanzania in 2016. I am also a holder of an Msc degree in Operations Research from the National University of Science and Technology (Zimbabwe). My first Degree is a double major in Statistics and Biochemistry from the University of Zimbabwe. Of which I further did a Special honours degree in Statistics at the University of Zimbabwe.
2021
Doctorate Mathematical sciences
Experienced in infectious disease surveillance and implementation science, I am a dedicated researcher specializing in infectious disease modelling and currently working on mathematical modeling for urban microstratification in Nigerian cities. As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Northwestern University and Research Associate at the South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA), I leverage my expertise to improve disease control and prevention strategies in communities.
I have a Ph.D. in Epidemiology from Stellenbosch University, my Ph.D research focused on HIV surveillance mainly - optimizing and benchmarking of HIV incidence estimation methods. My background includes an M.Sc. in Mathematical Sciences from the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences and an M.Sc. in Operations Research from the National University of Science and Technology.
I possess strong programming skills in Python and R, alongside proficiency in Bash scripting and high-performance computing (HPC) systems. This allows me to effectively analyze and interpret infectious disease data, automate processes, manage large datasets, and implement robust data analysis pipelines.
I am passionate about bridging academia, public health, and policy markers. I strive to inform evidence-based interventions by leveraging mathematical modeling and statistical analysis. My ultimate goal is to contribute to the well-being of communities by optimizing disease surveillance strategies and enhancing disease control and prevention measures.
My collaborative approach, research acumen, and deep understanding of epidemiology enable me to address complex research questions and develop innovative solutions. With a track record of significant contributions to infectious disease surveillance and implementation science, I am committed to making a lasting impact on public health.
Publications resulting from Research
Sykes, W., Mhlanga, L., Swanevelder, R., Glatt, T.N., Grebe, E., Coleman, C., Pieterson, N., Cable, R., Welte, A., van den Berg, K. and Vermeulen, M., 2021. Prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among blood donors in Northern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, and Free State provinces of South Africa in January 2021. Research Square.
Bingham, J., Cable, R., Coleman, C., Glatt, T.N., Grebe, E., Mhlanga, L., Nyano, C., Pieterson, N., Swanevelder, R., Swarts, A. and Sykes, W., 2022. Estimates of prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among blood donors in South Africa in March 2022. Research square.
Cable, R., Coleman, C., Glatt, T., Grebe, E., Mhlanga, L., Nyoni, C., Pieterson, N., Swanevelder, R., Swarts, A., Sykes, W. and van den Berg, K., 2022. Estimates of prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among blood donors in eight provinces of South Africa in November 2021. Research Square.
Vermeulen, M., Mhlanga, L., Sykes, W., Coleman, C., Pietersen, N., Cable, R., Swanevelder, R., Glatt, T.N., Grebe, E., Welte, A. and van den Berg, K., 2021. Prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among blood donors in South Africa during the period January-May 2021.
Iwu-Jaja, C., Ndlovu, N.L., Rachida, S., Yousif, M., Taukobong, S., Macheke, M., Mhlanga, L., van Schalkwyk, C., Pulliam, J., Moultrie, T. and le Roux, W., 2023. The role of wastewater-based epidemiology for SARS-CoV-2 in developing countries: cumulative evidence from South Africa supports sentinel site surveillance to guide public health decision-making. Science of The Total Environment, p.165817.
Mhlanga, L., Welte, A., Grebe, E., Ohler, L., Van Cutsem, G., Huerga, H. and Conan, N., 2023. Evidence of HIV incidence reduction in young women, but not in adolescent girls, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. IJID Regions.
Mhlanga, L., Eduard, G. and Welte, A., 2021. Optimal accounting for age and time structure of HIV incidence estimates based on cross-sectional survey data with ascertainment of ‘recent infection’.
Bingham, J., Cable, R., Coleman, C., Glatt, T.N., Grebe, E., Mhlanga, L., Nyano, C., Pieterson, N., Swanevelder, R., Swarts, A. and Sykes, W., 2022. Estimates of prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among blood donors in South Africa in March 2022. Research square.
Cable, R., Coleman, C., Glatt, T., Grebe, E., Mhlanga, L., Nyoni, C., Pieterson, N., Swanevelder, R., Swarts, A., Sykes, W. and van den Berg, K., 2022. Estimates of prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among blood donors in eight provinces of South Africa in November 2021. Research Square.
Vermeulen, M., Mhlanga, L., Sykes, W., Coleman, C., Pietersen, N., Cable, R., Swanevelder, R., Glatt, T.N., Grebe, E., Welte, A. and van den Berg, K., 2021. Prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among blood donors in South Africa during the period January-May 2021.
Iwu-Jaja, C., Ndlovu, N.L., Rachida, S., Yousif, M., Taukobong, S., Macheke, M., Mhlanga, L., van Schalkwyk, C., Pulliam, J., Moultrie, T. and le Roux, W., 2023. The role of wastewater-based epidemiology for SARS-CoV-2 in developing countries: cumulative evidence from South Africa supports sentinel site surveillance to guide public health decision-making. Science of The Total Environment, p.165817.
Mhlanga, L., Welte, A., Grebe, E., Ohler, L., Van Cutsem, G., Huerga, H. and Conan, N., 2023. Evidence of HIV incidence reduction in young women, but not in adolescent girls, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. IJID Regions.
Mhlanga, L., Eduard, G. and Welte, A., 2021. Optimal accounting for age and time structure of HIV incidence estimates based on cross-sectional survey data with ascertainment of ‘recent infection’.