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WS-T46: Simulating Complex Agent-Based Models with epiworldR: A fast and flexible ABM framework
Time:
Tuesday, 24/June/2025:
1:30pm - 4:30pm
Session Chair: Andrew David Pulsipher Session Chair: George G Vega Yon
Session Abstract
This workshop introduces epiworldR, an R package with a fast (C++ backend) and highly customizable framework for building network-based transmission/diffusion agent-based models (ABM). These models provide valuable information that may aid in performing complex simulation studies and make informed, evidence-based policy decisions for the general population. epiworldR is a flexible tool that can capture the complexity of transmission/diffusion dynamics resulting from agents’ heterogeneity, network structure, transmission dynamics, environmental factors (e.g., policies), and many other elements. Some key features of epiworldR are the ability to construct multi-disease models (e.g., models of competing multi-pathogens/multi-rumor), design mutating pathogens, architect population-level interventions, and build models with an arbitrary number of compartments/states (beyond SIR/SEIR). Moreover, epiworldR is really fast. For example, simulating a SIR model with 100,000 agents for 100 days takes less than ⅓ of a second (about three times faster than most popular packages).
The workshop will be 100% hands-on. It will feature examples of simulating multi-disease/rumor models, policy intervention models, and mutating variants. You can learn more about what to expect by visiting https://uofuepibio.github.io/epiworldR-workshop/. Participants should have a working knowledge of R (e.g., some experience with statnet). We will be using the latest version of epiworldR and will also provide a cloud environment with all the required components for the workshop.
Duration: 3 hours
Maximum number of attendees: 30
Presentations
Simulating Complex Agent-Based Models with epiworldR: A fast and flexible ABM framework
Andrew David Pulsipher, George G. Vega Yon
This workshop introduces epiworldR, an R package with a fast (C++ backend) and highly customizable framework for building network-based transmission/diffusion agent-based models (ABM). These models provide valuable information that may aid in performing complex simulation studies and make informed, evidence-based policy decisions for the general population. epiworldR is a flexible tool that can capture the complexity of transmission/diffusion dynamics resulting from agents’ heterogeneity, network structure, transmission dynamics, environmental factors (e.g., policies), and many other elements. Some key features of epiworldR are the ability to construct multi-disease models (e.g., models of competing multi-pathogens/multi-rumor), design mutating pathogens, architect population-level interventions, and build models with an arbitrary number of compartments/states (beyond SIR/SEIR). Moreover, epiworldR is really fast. For example, simulating a SIR model with 100,000 agents for 100 days takes less than ⅓ of a second (about three times faster than most popular packages).
The workshop will be 100% hands-on. It will feature examples of simulating multi-disease/rumor models, policy intervention models, and mutating variants. You can learn more about what to expect by visiting https://uofuepibio.github.io/epiworldR-workshop/. Participants should have a working knowledge of R (e.g., some experience with statnet). We will be using the latest version of epiworldR and will also provide a cloud environment with all the required components for the workshop.
