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2. ORNL’s Assaf Anyamba uses satellite images to predict disease outbreaks during extreme weather events
3. Anyamba’s research focuses on understanding the relationship between weather patterns, disease outbreaks, and human security.
Assaf Anyamba, a distinguished R&D staff member at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, uses satellite images to predict disease outbreaks related to extreme weather events like El Niño and La Niña. His work helps authorities better prepare for outbreaks, potentially saving lives and reducing economic impact. Anyamba’s research focuses on identifying climate signatures for outbreak events, a novel approach in disease monitoring.
After establishing vegetation as a proxy for detecting El Niño events using satellite imaging, Anyamba worked with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service to assess global agricultural production outlooks. His research helped adjust agricultural practices to meet changing climate conditions and ensure food security. Later, he assisted the U.S. military in developing health protection measures based on satellite data to prepare for potential outbreaks in susceptible regions.
Anyamba’s move to ORNL in East Tennessee was driven by a desire to contribute his expertise in geography, disease monitoring, and prediction to support national security efforts. Now focused on understanding global water security, he emphasizes the importance of using science and technology to proactively care for communities and prevent crises. ORNL, managed by UT-Battelle for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, is a key player in addressing pressing challenges through research and innovation.