Caroline Watts

Dr. Caroline Watts is a Senior Lecturer and Research Fellow at the Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, with a part-time appointment at the University of Sydney. She holds a PhD in cancer epidemiology and an MPH, focusing on health economics and public health interventions. Her research emphasizes melanoma surveillance, cost-effectiveness of healthcare strategies (e.g., malaria control in Kenya, STI testing in remote Australia), and optimizing diagnostic practices in dermatology.

Her work bridges epidemiology and economic analysis, addressing priorities like melanoma recurrence risks, sentinel lymph node biopsy adoption, and equitable healthcare access. Key projects include evaluating high-risk melanoma surveillance programs and analyzing the impact of dermatologist density on cancer outcomes. Collaborations span institutions globally, with a focus on low-resource settings.

Recent studies explore the cost implications of malaria comorbidities in Kenya and the role of molecular point-of-care testing in reducing rheumatic heart disease. Her publications span journals like Am J Epidemiol, JAAD, and Lancet Regional Health, reflecting interdisciplinary contributions to global and clinical health challenges.