Sara dos Santos Almeida

Sara dos Santos Almeida is a PhD fellow in Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of Copenhagen's Department of Public Health, Global Health Section. She specializes in infectious disease epidemiology with a focus on diarrheal diseases in low-income urban settings, particularly in the context of climate-induced displacement.

Her educational background includes:

• MSc in Parasitology from University of Copenhagen (2016)
• MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences from University of Lisbon (2013)
• Bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from University of Lisbon

Almeida's research centers on the epidemiology of waterborne diseases, with particular emphasis on how water scarcity affects pathogen transmission among climate-displaced populations in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Her current work is embedded in the WatScarce project, which aims to uncover transmission routes for hygiene-related pathogens and develop climate change adaptation strategies. She has extensive experience in cholera research and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) interventions, having previously worked at the Copenhagen Center for Disaster Research (COPE).

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on water safety, pathogen transmission dynamics, and the intersection of climate change with public health. Her work spans both infectious disease epidemiology (particularly cholera and diarrheal diseases) and immunological studies of helminth infections, demonstrating interdisciplinary expertise across environmental health and host-pathogen interactions.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• Young Scientist Award at the DSP Spring Symposium 2016, awarded by the Danish Society for Parasitology & Danish Society for Tropical Medicine and International Health

Academically, Almeida co-coordinates the 'Health in Emergencies and Refugee Health' course as part of the Master of Disaster Management programme at the University of Copenhagen. Her research has been widely cited and disseminated through multiple social media platforms, policy documents, and clinical guidelines, indicating significant impact in the field of global health. She maintains active collaborations with researchers across multiple institutions, particularly focusing on Bangladesh and other low-income settings.

Her work bridges laboratory-based immunological research with field epidemiology, creating a unique profile that connects basic science with practical public health interventions in resource-limited settings.