Kacey C Ernst

Dr. Kacey C Ernst is a Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona. With a Ph.D. in Epidemiology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, she has established herself as a leading researcher in infectious disease epidemiology, particularly focusing on vector-borne diseases and climate change impacts on public health. Her extensive teaching portfolio includes courses in infectious disease epidemiology, health data science, and public health policy.

Dr. Ernst's research interests span infectious disease epidemiology, vector-borne diseases (particularly dengue and Zika), climate change and health, health disparities, and public health policy. Her work bridges environmental science and epidemiology, examining how climate patterns influence vector-borne disease transmission in arid regions. She has developed innovative approaches to community engagement in vector control and has made significant contributions to understanding the complex relationship between flooding events and mosquito-borne disease outbreaks. Her research often employs spatial analysis techniques and examines the intersection of socioeconomic factors with disease risk.

Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on emerging infectious diseases, with particular attention to the Arizona-Sonora border region. She has published extensively on Aedes aegypti ecology, dengue transmission dynamics, and climate change impacts on vector-borne diseases. Her work also addresses critical public health issues including long COVID, antibiotic resistance, HIV treatment outcomes, and public health education related to climate change. These publications reflect her commitment to both theoretical epidemiological research and practical public health applications.

• Women of Impact Award, University of Arizona (Fall 2023)
• Distinguished Scholar Award, University of Arizona (Spring 2021)
• AAAS Leshner Public Engagement Fellow, American Academy of Science (Summer 2017)
• MEZCOPH Teaching Award (Spring 2016)
• Woman of the Year, Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (Fall 2013)

Dr. Ernst has advised numerous graduate students through dissertation committees and independent studies. Her research has been supported by various funding sources including the National Center for Atmospheric Research and institutional awards. She leads collaborative research projects examining vector-borne diseases across the US-Mexico border region and has developed innovative community engagement approaches for vector control programs. Her work with the Arizona CoVHORT study demonstrates her commitment to understanding the long-term impacts of emerging infectious diseases.