Overview
I am primarily a health outcomes researcher who specializes in cancers and chronic age-related diseases, especially Alzheimer’s disease and type II diabetes mellitus. However, I also write in epidemiology, demography, health economics and genetics. I am a specialist in the analysis of administrative big health data. My main contributions to scholarship can be summarized across three focus areas: health outcomes research, epidemiology and methodology, and health economics. Some of my most important findings are described below.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Associate Research Professor in the Social Science Research Institute
·
2024 - Present
Social Science Research Institute,
University Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
Public Health.
Journal Article Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association · December 2025 BackgroundAlzheimer's disease (AD) likely results from a combination of genetic, environmental, and other factors. Accumulating evidence points to a role of infections in AD. Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) and APOE4 are major risk factors fo ... Full text CitePublic Health.
Journal Article Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association · December 2025 BackgroundOur earlier study using Medicare-linked data found that vaccination against shingles was associated with ∼20% reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) later in life. Here, we investigated genotype-specific associations of the shingles va ... Full text CiteThe absolute and relative concentration-response patterns of exposure to ambient air pollutants and the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Journal Article Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD · September 2025 BackgroundExisting literature lacks information on the relationship between exposure to ambient air contaminants and Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk represented by simultaneous assessment of absolute and relative concentration-response patterns.ObjectiveThis ... Full text CiteRecent Grants
Leveraging population-based human data to uncover mechanisms connecting Alzheimer's disease and common infections and facilitate vaccines repurposing for AD prevention
ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2021 - 2026Genetic Modulations of Morbidity Compression: A Population-Based Study
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institute on Aging · 2020 - 2026Racial and Geographic Disparities in Risk and Survival of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias: Effects of Over/UnderDiagnosis and Disease Severity
ResearchSenior Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2019 - 2025View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
University of South Florida ·
2013
Ph.D.
University of South Florida ·
2006
M.A.
University of South Florida ·
2002
M.P.H.
University of South Florida ·
2000
B.A.