Carolina Perez-Heydrich
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PhD Postdoctoral Trainee Carolina Population Center Department of Biostatistics |
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Research
I have primary research interests in disease ecology, quantitative epidemiology, and animal-human-environment interactions that influence population health and disease dynamics. My research at UNC has primarily focused on the influence of social and spatial contextual factors on disease incidence and measures of vaccine efficacy. Vaccine trials conventionally define efficacy across a global scale, in which disease risk is assumed to be homogenous across target populations. Often, risk factors associated with disease can be clustered spatially or within social networks, but are overlooked when defining vaccine efficacy. By addressing and controlling for heterogeneities in disease risk associated with space and social ties, we can better quantify the protective efficacy of vaccination programs, and thus provide better information to guide strategies aimed at mitigating the spread of infection across exposed populations. Additionally, I am currently working on statistical methodology to define and estimate direct, indirect, and overall effects of vaccination while controlling for interference among individuals that is brought about through herd immunity.
Education
BS, Biology, Davidson College, 2003
PhD, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2010.
Dissertation: Ecological investigations of mycoplasmal upper respiratory tract disease in natural populations of threatened gopher tortoises: Insights from population ecology, mathematical epidemiology, and behavioral ecology.
MPH, Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, present
Funding
Postdoctoral Fellowship, joint appointment through the Department of Biostatistics and Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, 2010-present
Publications
Emch, M., E. D. Root, S. Giebultowicz, M. Ali, C. Perez-Heydrich, and M. Yunus. (2012). Integration of Spatial and Social Network Analysis in Disease Transmission Studies. Annals of the Association of American Geographers, DOI:10.1080/00045608.2012.671129 view PDF
Knapp, C.R., C. Perez-Heydrich. (in press). Using non-conspicuous demographic parameters to understand selected impacts of disturbance on a long-lived reptile. Endangered Species Research.
Perez-Heydrich, C., K. Jackson, L.D. Wendland, and M.B. Brown. (in press). Combining field studies with published data: A meta-analysis of gopher tortoise. Herpetologica.
Perez-Heydrich, C., M.K. Oli, and M.B. Brown. (2012). Long-term impacts of recurring disease on population dynamics and persistence of a long-lived wildlife host. Oikos. 121: 377-388.
Knapp, C., S. Alvarez-Clare, and C. Perez-Heydrich. (2010). The influence of landscape heterogeneity and dispersal on survival of neonate insular iguanas. Copeia 2010(1): 62-70. view PDF
Ozgul, A., M.K. Oli, B.M. Bolker, and C. Perez-Heydrich. (2009). Upper respiratory tract disease, force of infection, and effects on survival of gopher tortoises. Ecological Applications. 19: 786-798. view PDF
Publications in Review
Perez-Heydrich, C., J.M. Braly, S. Giebultowicz, J.J. Winston, M. Yunus, P.K. Streatfield, and M. Emch. (submitted). Social and spatial processes associated with childhood diarrheal disease in Matlab, Bangladesh. Health & Place.
Winston, J., V. Escamilla, C. Perez-Heydrich, M. Carrel, M. Yunus, P. K. Streatfield, and M. Emch. (submitted). Deep tubewells protect against childhood diarrhea in Matlab, Bangladesh. American Journal of Public Health.
Perez-Heydrich, C., M.K. Oli, B.M. Bolker, and M.B. Brown. (submitted). Force of infection and stage-specific disease processes in long-lived wildlife host populations. Ecology.
Manuscripts in Preparation
Perez-Heydrich, C., A. Verdery, M. Ali, J. Clemens, M. Yunus, and M. Emch. (in prep). Integrating the effects of space, environment, and social networks in vaccine trials. American Journal of Epidemiology.
Perez-Heydrich, C., M. G. Hudgens, J. Clemens, M. Ali, and M. Emch. (in prep). Assessing the effects of cholera vaccination in the presence of interference. Journal of the American Statistical Association.
Baker, B. B., K. L. Schuler, K. A. Mayer, C. Perez-Heydrich, P. M. Holahan, N. J. Thomas, and C. L. White. (in prep) An investigation to refine aging criteria for sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) in Washington State. Journal of Mammology.
