Alex Shpenev

Alex Shpenev is a demographer and sociologist serving as an Associate Scholar and Senior Data Research Scientist at the Populations Studies Center at the University of Pennsylvania. He holds a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania and an MA in Statistics from the Wharton School. His work bridges sociology, public health, and data science, with a focus on global health challenges.

Education:

• PhD, University of Pennsylvania
• MA in Statistics, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Shpenev's research interests include health behavior, non-communicable diseases, social determinants of health, social networks, and socioeconomic inequality. He investigates how social norms influence health practices, particularly sanitation behaviors in India. His work combines demographic analysis with behavioral science to understand health disparities and inform intervention strategies.

His recent publications focus on sanitation decision-making in India, examining gender roles, social influence, and network dynamics. Earlier work includes demographic analysis of Russian health and fiscal systems. Collectively, his research demonstrates a strong commitment to using data-driven approaches to address public health challenges in both high- and low-resource settings.

Scientific Awards:

• No awards listed in the provided text.

Dr. Shpenev teaches the MBDS elective Statistical Reasoning for Behavioral Science and mentors students through global health programs. He is involved in longitudinal studies in India and Malawi, focusing on social networks and health behavior. His projects often involve interdisciplinary collaboration with sociologists, economists, and public health experts. While no specific grants are listed, his role as co-investigator in major studies indicates active grant-supported research.

He is affiliated with the Center for Global Health at Penn and contributes to the Penn Social Norms Group. His work involves close collaboration with research teams conducting field studies in India, analyzing both qualitative and quantitative data to assess social norms and health behaviors.