About

Heidi Brown, PhD, MPH, is a Program Director and Professor of Epidemiology at the Zuckerman College of Public Health. Her research focuses on understanding vector-borne and zoonotic disease transmission dynamics to improve disease control. She works to identify human disease risk through modeling vector, host, and pathogen distributions, with current research areas including vector-borne and zoonotic diseases, spatial epidemiology, and climate change. Dr. Brown teaches undergraduate epidemiology, a graduate-level spatial epidemiology course, and a mapping course for undergraduates. She holds a PhD from Yale University in Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, an MPH from George Washington University in Global Health Promotion, and a B.S. in Psychology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University. Her work aims to advance understanding of disease transmission and inform public health strategies through research and education.

Research topics

• Biology
• Medicine
• Political Science
• Demography
• Ecology
• Engineering
• Business
• Internal medicine
• Environmental planning
• Economics
• Pathology
• Environmental resource management
• Environmental health
• Geography

Selected publications

• Estimating <i>Aedes aegypti</i> (Diptera: Culicidae) Flight Distance: Meta-Data Analysis

  Journal of Medical Entomology · 2022 · 71 citations

  Senior authorCorresponding
  • Biology
  • Ecology
  • Demography

  The yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, is a growing global concern. An ecological parameter necessary for vector control is the dispersal, or flight range, of mosquito vectors. Information on mosquito dispersal supports identifying optimal sampling and control strategies to limit the invasion of adult mosquitoes. Attempts around the world to understand the movement and flight range of Ae. aegypti have used a variety of techniques, but there has been little agreement regarding flight distances of Ae. aegypti, specifically the average linear distance Ae. aegypti travel in their natural environment. To generate a more robust estimate of Ae. aegypti flight distance, we conducted a meta-data analysis with the aims 1) to provide a flight distance measurement and 2) investigate how mosquito flight range can be affected by study design and climatic factors. Published studies were retrieved from public databases and reviewed for mean distance traveled (MDT) or maximum distance traveled measurements of Ae. aegypti. Linear regression was used to assess potential relationships between Ae. aegypti flight distance and factors pertaining to climate, degrees of urbanization, and study design. MDT estimates were pooled from 27 experiments to calculate a weighted MDT of 105.69 m. This study addresses the average flight distance of Ae. aegypti with the intention of informing vector control programs in Ae. aegypti prevalent regions of the world.

  DOI

• Helicobacter pylori Prevalence and Risk Factors in Three Rural Indigenous Communities of Northern Arizona

  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 2022 · 26 citations

  • Medicine
  • Demography
  • Environmental health

  in Navajo is similar to that seen in Alaska Natives. Further investigation into factors associated with prevention of infection is needed as well as understanding barriers to screening and treatment.

  DOI

• Synergistic China–US Ecological Research is Essential for Global Emerging Infectious Disease Preparedness

  EcoHealth · 2020 · 41 citations

  • Political Science
  • Environmental planning
  • Environmental resource management

  The risk of a zoonotic pandemic disease threatens hundreds of millions of people. Emerging infectious diseases also threaten livestock and wildlife populations around the world and can lead to devastating economic damages. China and the USA-due to their unparalleled resources, widespread engagement in activities driving emerging infectious diseases and national as well as geopolitical imperatives to contribute to global health security-play an essential role in our understanding of pandemic threats. Critical to efforts to mitigate risk is building upon existing investments in global capacity to develop training and research focused on the ecological factors driving infectious disease spillover from animals to humans. International cooperation, particularly between China and the USA, is essential to fully engage the resources and scientific strengths necessary to add this ecological emphasis to the pandemic preparedness strategy. Here, we review the world's current state of emerging infectious disease preparedness, the ecological and evolutionary knowledge needed to anticipate disease emergence, the roles that China and the USA currently play as sources and solutions to mitigating risk, and the next steps needed to better protect the global community from zoonotic disease.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• Simulation Modeling of Public Health Interventions on Dengue Vector Abundance: Cu

  NIH · $574k · 2014–2019

Frequent coauthors

• Noël E. Smith

  American College of Physician Executives

  20 shared

• Robin B. Harris

  University of Arizona Cancer Center

  20 shared

• Timothy C. McCall

  National Association of County and City Health Officials

  15 shared

• Talia Sierra

  Idaho State University

  14 shared

• Erika Austhof

  University of Arizona

  14 shared

• J. Lega

  13 shared

• Eyal Oren

  San Diego State University

  13 shared

• Andrew C. Comrie

  University of Arizona

  9 shared

Education

• PhD, Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases

  Yale University

  2007

• MPH, International Health Promotion

  George Washington University

  1999

Awards & honors

• Jill de Zapien Award

Similar researchers at University of Arizona

• Jean-Luc Brédash-175
• Jeremy Garciah-129
• Noam Chomskyh-123
• Katia Cunhah-115
• Lisa M Rimszah-99