Sake J. de Vlas is a mathematical biologist by training and Professor of Infectious Disease Modelling at the Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam.

Throughout his scientific career, spanning over 30 years, his main research activity has been to develop and apply mathematical models for the transmission and control of infectious diseases of the tropics, varying from parasitic worm infections (e.g. schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis, and soil-transmitted helminths) to micro-parasites (e.g. HIV, leprosy, leishmaniasis, and malaria).

He is a member of different research networks, including the NTD Modelling Consortium. Most of his studies are aimed at supporting real-world decision making or guideline development, involving WHO or other stakeholders throughout, from model inception to dissemination, but also in making critical decisions about model structure and data used for model quantification.