Multiscale Agent Based Modeling of Early-Stage Influenza Infection

Timeline

2026

Description

A team of students led by researchers in the Hickey Lab in Biomedical Engineering at Duke University will develop computer-based simulations to understand how influenza spreads through human lung tissue and how the immune system controls infection. Using real biological images and data from influenza-infected lungs, students will build interactive models using LLM-multi-agent frameworks that allow “what-if” experiments, such as testing how prior immunity or antiviral treatments change infection outcomes. This project combines data science, biology, and visualization, giving students hands-on experience with cutting-edge biomedical data and open-source modeling tools. 

View the team's poster here:

Team

Members

Alex Liu, Arnav Dhar, Gary Jin, Laith AlSenan 
 

Leaders

Project Lead: John Hickey

Project Manager: Bobby Ni