Naomi Barber-Choi is an undergraduate student at UCLA studying Computational and
Systems Biology. She is primarily interested in using computational tools to model the dynamics
of real-world systems. She’s currently working in Dr. Akihiro Nishi’s lab at UCLA, which focuses
on using network science and agent simulations to examine key factors that could help prevent
disease outbreaks.
The current project Naomi is working on examines self-isolation behavior in the context
of a disease outbreak. While in theory the ideal response to a disease outbreak would be an
immediate, synchronized isolation, agents often isolate only when they perceive a threateningly
high disease prevalence. This risk tolerance may vary from agent to agent, and so even if
asynchronous isolation has a higher societal cost and lower societal benefit, it tends to be the
response that evolves— as seen with COVID-19. The research of the Nishi lab seeks to identify
factors that could encourage an immediate, synchronized isolation, deterring future pandemics.
Naomi would like to thank Dr. Nishi and her mentor Michael Mengual for giving her the
opportunity to engage in undergraduate research.