Dr. Oumaima LARAJ

Dr. Oumaima LARAJ is a post-doctoral research fellow at the Institut Pasteur de Tunis and a key member of the AMAX Tunisian team. Within the AMAX project, she works on the economic evaluation of HPV vaccination, comparing strategies across several African countries.

She has led case studies on HPV vaccination and screening in Tunisia, as well as on the rollout of the HPV vaccine in Senegal. To support this work, she has developed static Markov models that estimate both the health impact and the financial implications of different vaccination and screening strategies. These findings help guide national policies by identifying options that are both effective and affordable.

Dr. Laraj holds a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Mohammed V University in Rabat, with a specialization in nonlinear analysis and decision-making. Her doctoral research focused on optimizing waste management in developing countries through mathematical modeling of leachate recirculation in the anaerobic digestion of organic waste, aiming to maximize biogas production. She applied advanced mathematical tools, including bioprocess dynamic modeling and optimization techniques, to improve the efficiency of methane generation.

Her areas of expertise include compartmental models, qualitative analysis, sensitivity analysis, and optimal control. She has recently gained expertise in cost-effectiveness studies, budget impact modeling, and decision analysis, particularly in the field of vaccines.

Thanks to her strong background in both mathematics and public health, Dr. Laraj brings a valuable interdisciplinary perspective to global health research. Her work supports evidence-based strategies to improve health outcomes and ensure efficient resource use, particularly in low and middle income countries.