# Simulation Modeling of Hepatitis B Virus Elimination Strategies in Cote d'Ivoire

> **NIH NIH K01** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2022 · $135,772

## Abstract

Project Summary
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the world's leading cause of cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver-related
mortality. Its burden is increasing around the world, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Even though
millions of people across sub-Saharan Africa are known to have chronic hepatitis B infection, very few
eligible patients are started on treatment. The complexity and cost of laboratory monitoring, liver
fibrosis assessments, and antiviral treatment are some of the major challenges preventing scale-up of
treatment.
My goal is to determine whether hepatitis B management guidelines can be simplified so that limited
healthcare resources are focused on expanding hepatitis B treatment in resource-limited settings.
Simulation models are evidence-based tools that are increasingly being used by investigators to
address complex questions such as this, by assessing the long-term clinical impact of existing as well
as novel hepatitis B treatment initiation strategies. I am an Infectious Diseases physician with a
research background in clinical epidemiology, simulation modeling, and cost-effectiveness analysis. I
am motivated to expand on my current skillset and gain training to apply these methodologies to
investigate HBV treatment strategies in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Mentored Research Scientist Development Award will afford me the opportunity to gain the
necessary skills to become an independent clinical investigator. I require specific training in (1) model
design and validation; (2) derivation of clinical and economic outcome data; and (3) designing and
executing cost-effectiveness analyses. I have designed a didactic curriculum to address each of
these training aims. I have also assembled a multi-disciplinary team of mentors and collaborators with
methodological and/ or content expertise who are devoted to my success in achieving the aims of this
proposal. By the end of the award period, I will have designed and validated a novel HBV simulation
model, populated the model with clinical and economic data from sub-Saharan Africa, and used the
model conduct a high impact cost-effectiveness analysis that has the potential to guide HBV
management across the continent.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10525126
- **Project number:** 1K01AI166126-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Amir Mohareb
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $135,772
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-08-01 → 2027-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10525126

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10525126, Simulation Modeling of Hepatitis B Virus Elimination Strategies in Cote d'Ivoire (1K01AI166126-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-01 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10525126. Licensed CC0.

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