Models for the spread of Wolbachia in Aedes aegypti populations

Dengue fever is a deadly disease carried by mosquitoes. Currently, a novel method being investigated to stop the spread of dengue fever is to breed a bacteria called Wolbachia into mosquito populations. This bacteria prevents mosquitoes from spreading dengue fever to humans. This thesis uses data collected from Wolbachia release experiments to build mathematical models for the spread of Wolbachia in mosquito populations, to predict the rate of spatial spread of this bacteria. A sub-project is also included, where this mathematical model is extended to investigate the effects that a changing climate may have on the spread of Wolbachia.