At the NSF Center for Analysis and Prediction of Pandemic Expansion (APPEX), we believe that understanding and preventing pandemics requires a multidisciplinary approach. Our work revolves around the synergy of diverse fields—biomedical sciences, ecology, socio-behavioral studies, economics, environmental science, and more—to uncover the complex factors that can turn isolated disease cases into global outbreaks.

We bring together experts from across disciplines to collaborate on tackling the most challenging questions in pandemic science. Through our Guided Self-Organizing Teaming Process (GSOTP), we encourage innovative ideas from individuals and refine them into compelling, actionable research projects. This unique approach allows us to explore and compare pandemic risk scenarios with rigor and creativity.

APPEX is committed to a proactive vision of pandemic science, focusing not only on responding to current threats but also on preparing for the unknown challenges of the future. By fostering collaboration and leveraging the strengths of diverse academic domains, we aim to enhance global health security and be adaptable to emerging pathogens.

  • Multidisciplinary Approach
  • Guided Self-Organizing Teaming Process (GSTOP)
  • Enhance Global Health Security

APPEX Core Research Collaborative Teams: Team Composition and Roles

Team Leader Responsibilities
  • Convene monthly team meetings (help with scheduling available if desired)

  • Oversee the process of Identifying  and setting team tasks

  • Monitor asynchronous task progress

  • Submit a monthly form to track team progress

Support resources for the team include:
  • Post-Doctoral Support (forthcoming in Winter 2024/Spring 2025)

    • Contribute to experimental design and data analysis

    • Lead specific research sub-projects

    • Assist in grant proposal writing and publication preparation

    • Mentor graduate students and undergraduate researchers

  • Technical Support

    • Digital collaboration platform ClickUp support 

    • Zoom AI transcription and use for team meeting notes

    • Project management, if desired

    • Grant proposal preparation support, if desired

  • Team Consilience Support

    • Team Charter Template

    • Team Dictionary Template

    • Consilience facilitation tool library

    • Consilience facilitation and coaching at kick off and as needed

Timeline Process:

Every 6 months the team will be invited to consider its progress and satisfaction, potential role changes and needs, and identify barriers and opportunities that impact the team's success. APPEX leadership will work with the team to support appropriate steps made evident in the 6th month check in.


Connect with us 
on social media:

contact@appex.org
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Award No. 2412115. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation