Projects & Publications
Updated 2023
I have a longstanding interest in utilizing methods from epidemiology, demography, sociology, economics, and data science to address complex population and health challenges. My research centers on understanding global trends and developing solutions to improve health and social outcomes in the areas of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), adolescent well-being, gender equality, and population dynamics. I focus particularly on the intersections between population health and major global forces—such as climate change, conflict, inequality, demographic shifts, and technological innovation. I’m also a strong advocate for open science and the use of data to drive change. Selected work is featured below.
POPULATION & TRENDS
Demographic trends and population health: tackling inequality in a world of 8 billion people. BMJ Global Health, 2023
Climate-related experiences and harms among 152,088 Mexican youth. Nature Scientific Reports, 2023.
The mental health of Asian American adolescents and young adults amid the rise of anti-Asian racism. Frontiers in Public Health, 2023.
GENDER NORMS & EQUITY
Gender norms and health: insights from global survey data. The Lancet, 2019.
Gendered economic, social and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigation policies in Kenya: evidence from a prospective cohort survey in Nairobi informal settlements. Journal of Adolescent Heath, 2021.
What Are the Drivers of Child Marriage? Framework to Guide Policies and Programs. Journal of Adolescent Health, 2021.
HEALTH ACCESS
The impact of natural disasters and epidemics on sexual and reproductive health in low- and middle-income countries. Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 2021.
Effectiveness, safety and acceptability of medical abortion at home versus in the clinic: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Global Health, 2020.
Evaluating a LARC Expansion Program in 14 Sub-Saharan African Countries: A Service Delivery Model for Meeting FP2020 Goals. Maternal & Child Health Journal, 2015.
POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Mobility Patterns During COVID-19 Travel Restrictions in Urban Informal Settlements: Who Is Leaving Home and Why. Journal of Urban Health, 2021.
The Global State of Evidence on Interventions to Prevent Child Marriage. GIRL Center, 2017.
Vouchers for Sexual and Reproductive Health Services: A Review of Programs in 11 Asian and African Countries. Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 2015.
OPEN DATA INITIATIVES
Adolescent Atlas for Action (A3) - I conceptualized and supported the creation of A3—a suite of interactive data tools designed to bridge evidence and action. A3 summarizes the lives and needs of adolescents around the world to guide smarter, evidence-based investments. With over 8,000 users, it provides actionable insights into the challenges facing adolescents, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Adolescent Data Hub - I launched and oversaw the development of the Adolescent Data Hub—the first and largest open-access catalog of adolescent data in LMICs. Featuring more than 750 datasets from 130+ countries, the Hub supports over 4,500 researchers, governments, and funders in addressing the unique needs and challenges of young people globally.
COVID-19 Data for Decision-Making - In collaboration with government agencies in Guatemala, Kenya, India, Mexico, and the U.S., I led a global team to generate timely, policy-relevant data on COVID-19. Available on DataVerse, this work informed national responses and helped assess the pandemic’s health, social, and economic impacts in the U.S. and LMICs. I also contributed to The U.S. COVID-19 Forecast Hub dataset.