W.R. Kenan, Jr. Distinguished Professor of Geography and Epidemiology
Dr. Emch directs the Spatial Health Research Group at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Research activities focus on exploring spatio-temporal patterns of disease, primarily infectious diseases of the developing world. Disease patterns are studied using a holistic approach by investigating the role of social, natural, and built environments in disease occurrence in different places and populations. Diverse statistical and spatial analytical methods are informed by theory from the fields of health geography, epidemiology, ecology, and others. These theories and methods are used to examine topics such as how social connectivity contributes to disease incidence, the role of population-environment drivers in disease pathogen evolution, and using environmental and social indicators to predict disease outbreaks. Learn more about his research projects and publications on the Spatial Health Research Group website.
