Rosemarie Burian

Home Institution
Medizinische Hochschule Hannover

Host Institution
Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College, London
Mentor: Prof. Roy Anderson

E-Mail:
rosiburian@aol.com

Research Topic
see Abstract
Personal Reactions to the U.K. Experience
Living and working right in the centre of a European metropolis, I experienced London at its best. Working in an international environment with colleagues from many commonwealth countries in an institute which was extremely well organised and highly professional was a unique opportunity. Upon arrival, I was greeted by my supervisor, who had decided to optimally utilise my time and abilities. Therefore, all the formalities, including introduction to people and subject matter, as well as accommodation and student registration, had been prepared and were immediately attended to. It was a unique experience working in a team with people my age who were highly motivated, focussed on their work, success oriented and enjoying their research.
Who says it always rains in England ? I left there convinced the sun always shines over London. It was the warmest and driest summer since weather reporting in the UK. Cycling to work through South Kensington and Hyde Park and home again I rejoiced in its beauty and not only managed to avoid the overcrowded tubes and buses but to even get a suntan!

Greatest Difficulties Encountered
The British are a friendly but reserved lot. Favourite topic of conversation and ever changing is still the weather. Although, alone in a foreign country you might feel a bit at a loss if the conversation doesn't develop into a more personal and supportive direction.
Not meeting Hugh Grant! He lived almost next door to our student residence and we regularly dined at his favourite restaurant - tough luck !

Most humorous incident
Who is this "overseas" student in our department everyone seems to be talking about? And there was me thinking we were part of a united Europe - who would have thought that Germany is considered to be overseas ?
Beware of local drivers who only notice you can't park a VW camper van in a garage once it has hit the ceiling and you're stuck. This might provide you with the unique experience of a clear view of Scottish stars at night.

Helpful Hints for Future Students

  • Persistence, persistence, persistence is the most important trait if you want to make your BMEP experience a success.
  • Get as much background information on your host institution, department and supervisor as you can.
  • Upon arrival, actively introduce yourself and get acquainted with as many people as possible, inquiring about their work and methods in use.
  • Don't be afraid of making a nuisance of yourself.
  • Send an email before you telephone anyone informing them a) who you are b) when you intend to call and c) what you will be contacting them about.
  • Don't worry about anti-German jokes - it's become routine.
  • Make sure you are on good terms with your supervisor's secretary/personal assistant.
  • Always have a friendly word with the security officer, so you will never be locked in or out.
  • And remember, your very good friend should be the department's computer specialist.

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Abstract on Research Topic

During my time at the Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at Imperial College I was extremely fortunate as I joined a team of physicists, mathematicians and statisticians headed by Professor Roy Anderson. This team focussed its research on what was occupying the minds of Infectious Disease experts world-wide at that time: the epidemiology of the etiological agent of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Professor Roy Anderson could be described as a mathematical biologist whose primary research focus has been the development and application of a theoretical framework for the study of the transmission dynamics, evolution and control of infectious disease agents in human and animal populations.

When studying the interactions between variables that determine the typical course of infection in an individual host and those that determine transmission in communities of hosts, modern quantitative mathematical and statistical research methods, and their application to both theoretical and practical aspects of infectious disease epidemiology, play a key role in his research.

Always on the cutting edge of Infectious Disease Research SARS was top of the agenda when I joined his team. To get a handle on SARS the team tried to determine how connected the world is in terms of people's mobility. The team was asking whether, in the early stages of the SARS epidemic, you can draw conclusions about how dangerous this is on the world scale, and to what extent Public Health interventions have an impact on the transmission dynamics of SARS.

In early July the outbreak was declared contained by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Surprisingly this had been achieved by simple, well-tried approaches such as isolation, quarantine and contact tracing. Now the task was to establish why it was that these measures had been successful in controlling the outbreak. It was shown that it was not only because they had been adhered to so stringently, but foremost because the virus has biological features that permit it to be thus controlled.