Research

Genomic epidemiology and phylogeography

How do respiratory viruses move between places and populations? Using genomic data we can track transmission chains and then infer how these viruses spread. In particular, I am excited to study how human movement across populations influences the spread of epidemics. This knowledge is important for designing public health interventions to block transmission and construct pathogen surveillance networks to capture genomic and population changes.

Within-host viral dynamics

Mathematical models of viral replication and immune control are exciting tools to describe the course of infections in individuals. Models can additionally be used to predict how infections respond to therapeutics (e.g. mAbs and antivirals) and how pathogens evolve within hosts. My goal is to use these models to understand how respiratory viruses develop novel variants especially under new evolutionary pressures.

Spatial epidemiology of health outcomes

Space and movement imapct the health of individuals and populations by affecting their exposures (e.g. pathogens, environmental factors, social determinants) and physical access to healthcare. My doctoral and residency research training focused on studying geospatial patterns in health outcomes including cancer mortality and vaccination uptake. I continue to be interested in pursuing questions at the intersection of geography and health.