Epidemiology Faculty

Program Faculty

Epidemiology

Our diverse and talented faculty are epidemiological experts who study how a variety of factors affect human health, including climate change, complex chronic disease management, disease prevention and management, disaster preparedness, foodborne outbreaks, healthy aging, HIV, maternity care, and pollutants at work, at home and in the environment.

Primary faculty

Image
Jeffrey Bethel, PhD

Jeff Bethel, PhD
Associate Professor

Jeff's research focuses on building adaptive capacity to address the health impacts of infectious disease outbreaks and natural hazards, particularly among vulnerable populations.

Image
Marit L. Bovbjerg, PhD

Marit Bovbjerg, PhD
Assistant Professor
(Program Director)

Marit's research focuses on US maternity care, particularly midwifery and community birth for low-risk women. She is also interested in physical activity during pregnancy and the postpartum period, and potential effects on maternal outcomes.

Image
Matthew Bozigar, PhD

Matthew Bozigar, PhD
Assistant Professor

Matt is interested in place-based social and environmental influences on health and health disparities.

Image
Ellen Smit, PhD, RD

Ellen Smit, PhD RD
Professor

Ellen's research is focused on diet, metabolism, and physical activity in relation to both chronic disease and HIV infection in diverse populations.

Associated faculty

Image
Perry Hystad, PhD

Perry Hystad, PhD
Associate Professor
Environmental and Occupational Health

Perry's research uses spatial exposure assessment methods to determine the chronic health effects associated with exposure to air pollution, including cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and cancer.

Image
Yumie Takata, PhD

Yumie Takata, PhD
Associate Professor
Nutrition

Yumie's research focuses on the etiological roles of nutritional factors in cancer and chronic disease.

Recent publications

(This is not an exhaustive list. We are still rebuilding our database of faculty publications. Visit individual faculty profiles for more extensive lists of their publications.)

2024

Erickson, E.N., Hersh, S.R., Wharton, M.R., Bovbjerg, M.L., Tilden, E.L.  (2024)  The Role of Passive Descent and Epidural Analgesia in Outcomes Associated With Prolonged Pushing Among Nulliparous Individuals in Midwifery Care  Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health  
Pierce, C., Branscum, A., Irvin, V.L., Elander, J., Bovbjerg, M.L., Witkop, M.L., Smit, E.  (2024)  Pain attitudes and pain outcomes among people with bleeding disorders: Results from community voices in research  Haemophilia  
Lawless, J.W., Diel, D.G., Wagner, B., Cummings, K.J., Meredith, G., Parrilla, L., Plocharczyk, E., Lawlis, R., Hillson, S., Dalziel, B.D., Bethel, J., Lubchenco, J., McLaughlin, K.R., Haggerty, R., Higley, K., Nieto, F.J., Radniecki, T.S., Kelly, C., Sanders, J., Cazer, C.L.  (2024)  Representative Public Health Surveys Pose Several Challenges: Lessons Learned Across Nine Communities During the COVID-19 Pandemic  AJPM Focus  3(2)

2022

Bethel, J.W.  (2022)  Wastewater Surveillance Provides a Powerful Tool for Monitoring and Controlling Communicable Diseases  Journal of Public Health Management and Practice  28(2)

2020

Amantia, R., Irvin, V.L., Smit, E., Seifert, J.R., Garcia, J.  (2020)  Human trafficking: The relationship between government efforts & survivor punishment  Global Public Health  15(10)