Kate Vavra-Musser Email & Phone Number

As a dedicated researcher and data scientist, I thrive at the intersection of environmental health, geospatial data science, and public health. With a strong academic foundation and practical experience across multiple fields, my work is driven by a passion for using data to address complex real-world problems and contribute to meaningful societal change.I hold a Ph.D. in Population, Health, and Place from the University of Southern California, where I specialized in environmental health, spatial sciences, and sociology. My doctoral research focused on understanding how industrial activities and environmental exposures impact vulnerable populations, with a particular emphasis on lead exposure and its effects on cognitive health in older adults. During my studies, I developed expertise in GIS, data analysis, and programming (R, Python, Stata), which I applied to model and visualize spatial data, uncovering critical insights into public health challenges.My professional journey has spanned diverse roles, including Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Minnesota, where I supported the NSF I-GUIDE project in integrating social science and geospatial data. In this role, I contributed to educational initiatives, curriculum development, and event organization, while collaborating on research related to climate change and social vulnerabilities. As an Assistant Project Manager with NSF I-GUIDE, I led communications, coordinated events like the I-GUIDE Forum, and managed the development of the I-GUIDE Convergence Curriculum for Geospatial Data Science.I also bring extensive experience as a research assistant on projects ranging from environmental justice to demographic health data. During my time at USC, I analyzed the effects of industrial and agricultural activities on public health, contributing to policy discussions and academic publications. At the U.S. Census Bureau, I developed a data integration framework for the Physician Linkage Project, enhancing insights into physician employment patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic.In addition to my research, I've taught courses in GIS for Public Health at Cal State Long Beach and served as a teaching assistant at USC and UC Berkeley, guiding students through complex scientific concepts and spatial analysis techniques.I am passionate about collaborating across disciplines, solving challenging problems, and using data to drive positive change. Let’s connect if you’re interested in discussing research, data science, or opportunities to address pressing environmental and public health issues.

Listed skills include Global Health, Environmental Health, Research, International Research, and 18 others.