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Ph.D., 2007, Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University
M.P.H., 1999, International Health Promotion, George Washington University
B.S., 1995, Psychology, Virginia Tech
Phone: (520) 621-1652
Phone: (210) 258-9679 (m/w/f)
FAX: (520) 621-2889
E-mail: HeidiBrown@email.arizona.edu
University of Arizona
School of Geography and Development
1103 E 2nd St, Harvill Rm 405
Tucson, AZ 85721-0076
USA
Climate & Health, Eco-epidemiology, Mosquito-borne Diseases (dengue, West Nile virus disease)
I am an infectious disease epidemiologist. I focus on how environmental factors (land cover, weather, etc) influence the occurrence of disease. To date, I've primarily worked at the intersection between public health and ecology (Vector Ecology Lab, TALA, and CDC-NCEZID). Joining the ACES Laboratory, I hope to improve how weather data are used for eco-epidemiological studies and to explore how climate change may influence current disease distributions.
My work is exciting because it requires knowledge across multiple disciplines and collaboration with experts in epidemiology, ecology, entomology, statistics, and data management. Using self generated field data and working with collaborators, I develop spatial and temporal statistical models of disease risk on a variety of systems (e.g., mosquitoes and West Nile virus disease, biting midges and bluetongue, fleas and plague). I use remotely sensed data such as land use characterization, meteorological data from weather stations, epidemiological findings, field collections, and laboratory experimentation to understand how vectors and hosts interact and how these interactions are influenced by the environment. Elucidating these interactions allows for risk prediction and generates information that can be used by state health departments developing disease reduction strategies.