Ainhoa-Elena Leger

Ainhoa-Elena Leger serves as a Research Assistant at CPop within the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Southern Denmark. Her work bridges demographic research, statistical modeling, and public health applications with a focus on contemporary mortality challenges.

Academic Background:

• Demography (European Doctoral School, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 2020-2021)
• Statistical Sciences (Master's Degree, University of Padova, 2016-2019)
• Statistics, Economics, and Finance (Bachelor's Degree, University of Padova, 2012-2015)

Her research centers on mortality forecasting methodologies with specialized expertise in seasonal pattern analysis, pandemic impact assessment, and regional demographic comparisons. Leger develops innovative statistical approaches including Poisson models and functional data analysis to address critical public health questions, particularly regarding excess mortality during health crises. Her work demonstrates strong methodological rigor while maintaining practical relevance for health policy formulation.

Leger's publication portfolio reveals a clear trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated mortality modeling techniques, with recent work focusing on adaptive forecasting methods that account for shifting seasonal patterns post-pandemic. Her research bridges theoretical statistics with real-world demographic applications across European contexts.

Scientific Recognition:

• PAA 2025 Poster Award for innovative demographic research presentation
• Early-Career Researcher Prize 2022 from Population Journal for outstanding contribution to demographic methodology

As an active contributor to major research initiatives, Leger participates in the AXA Chair in Longevity Research and the Excess Deaths and Life-Years Lost project related to Denmark's COVID-19 response. Her teaching portfolio includes instruction in Research Design, Data Management, and R programming workshops, demonstrating commitment to methodological training. Leger operates within the CPop research environment, collaborating extensively with international demographers on projects analyzing mortality trends across multiple national contexts.