معرفی
Margaret Carrel is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Iowa, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Her research integrates geography, public health, and genetics to study the spatial patterns of infectious diseases and drug resistance. She is actively involved in teaching and mentoring graduate students, and her work is supported by major funding agencies including the Carnegie Corporation, NIH, NSF, USDA, and the VA.
Research Interests:
- Geography of infectious disease
- Landscape genetics and disease ecology
- Spatial epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance
- Human-environment interactions in disease emergence
- GIS applications in public health
Her research combines spatial statistical methods with population genetics to understand how pathogens evolve in response to environmental and social factors. She applies these methods to diseases such as H5N1 influenza, malaria, HIV, and Staphylococcus aureus, particularly in relation to livestock production and natural hazards.
The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong focus on spatial epidemiology, with recurring themes in zoonotic disease transmission, drug resistance in pathogens, and environmental determinants of health. Her work spans diverse geographic contexts including the United States, Vietnam, China, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Bangladesh. Key methodologies include GIS, spatial modeling, phylogeography, and landscape genetics.
Scientific Funding and Grants:
- Understanding infectious disease risk post-hurricanes and floods – Carnegie Corporation
- Epidemiological and spatial models of malaria transmission – NIH
- Staphylococcus aureus and raw meat exposure – USDA
- Spatio-temporal patterns of drug-resistant malaria – NSF
- MRSA risk in veterans near CAFOs – VA Medical Research Foundation
Advising and Mentoring: Dr. Carrel advises multiple PhD and MA students in Geography. Her current graduate advisees include Miah Boyle (PhD expected 2026), Caitlyn Grubbs (PhD expected 2025), and Zhuo "Austin" Tang (MA 2021). Past advisees include Barbara Keino, Seungwon Kim, Sean Young, and others who have completed their degrees.
Laboratories and Research Groups: Her research is associated with the Lab for Observing & Quantifying Aquatic & Terrestrial Ecosystems (LOQATE) and contributes to the broader research initiatives in GIScience, health, and human-environment interactions at the University of Iowa.
