Dr Zahid Asghar
Associate Professor
School of Health & Care Sciences
College of Health and Science
About Zahid Asghar
I joined the Lincoln School of Health & Social Care in September 2011. My background is in mathematical biology of infectious disease modelling and medical statistics. My research aims to improve understanding of the epidemiological factors and population processes shaping infectious or chronic disease spread in humans. A key practical focus is the analysis and optimisation of intervention strategies aimed at reducing mortality and morbidity through mathematical and statistical modelling aiding policy making in the context of public health. Currently I am the Director of the Lincoln Clinical Trials Unit where I lead a team of Data managers, Trial Coordinators, Health Economists, and other support staff. I am the Senior Statistical consultant for NIHR Research Support Service (RSS) Hub. Also, I am the founding member of the NIHR Methodology Group and ONS Accredited Researcher. My interests are in the use of Data Science, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning with a focus on collaborative public health interdisciplinary research. As the director of Data Centre (Active Data Storage), I work across disciplines supported by the department of Digital Technologies. Previously I have worked as an infectious disease modeller at Imperial College, London (over five years). Medical statistician at University of Nottingham for chronic liver disease and as a mathematical modeller, data analyst and statistician jointly at the University of Manchester and University of Liverpool, forecasting coronary heart disease and mortality projections for the UK. I have extensive experience in data management and computer programming. I developed algorithmic code to aid policy and advocacy as well as calculated the prevalence of disease burden such as HIV in different country settings.
Department Responsibilities
Supervise PhD, MSc and BSc students, and provide statistical guidance to members of our department. Member of Postgradyate committee for the School of Health and Social Care. Member of the College Research Committee and the School Research Committee. Member of the University Ethics Committee. Lead Postgraduate Student Supervisors Forum.
Subject Specialisms
Data Science Mathematical modeller and Medical Statistician. Infectious disease epidemiologist.
Qualifications
- AFHEA - Higher Education Academy 2016
- PhD Quantum Spin Structures (Loughborough) - University of Loughborough 2001
- MSc Quantum Fields and Fundamental Forces (Imperial College London) - Imperial College London 1994
- BSc(Hons) Theoretical Physics ( Queen Mary UoL ) - Queen Mary University of London 1992
Awards
- Merit and Achievement Awards - UoL 2022
- ILM level 5 - Institute of Leadership and Management 2021
- Merit and Achievement Awards - UoL 2021
- INSPIRE - University of Lincoln 2020
- Merit and Achievement Awards - UoL 2020
- Merit and Achievement Awards - UoL 2018
- Merit and Achievement Awards - UoL 2015
Consultancy
Senior Consultant for NIHR Research Support Services East Midlands Hub. Provide statistical guidance and sample size calculations to other research groups. External Statistics Consultant: Lincoln NHS Foundation Trust. Modelling COVID19 epidemic for Lincolnshire Country Council.