Spotlight - Susan Cassels

A background in mathematics and an interest in the environment and its impact on people led Susan Cassels somewhat unexpectedly to graduate studies in Demography and an interest in public health and health outcomes.

Her dissertation provided a historical case study of Micronesia during Japanese occupation and focused specifically on the relationship between forced labor migration and disease transmission, in particular, TB and gonorrhea. In addition to developing models that simulated the demographic impact of these two diseases, Susan also conducted field visits and interviews on the islands of Yap and Palau that provided rich information about cultural beliefs and their impacts on fertility levels.

She has also completed a study that explores the relationships among global food trade, food dependence, and health problems using a case study of obesity in Micronesia.

Although she only came to the University of Washington in September, Susan has already begun working on a pilot project in South Africa with Steven Goodreau, a UW Assistant Professor in Anthropology, to develop analytical tools to assess the impacts of recency of HIV infection on secondary transmission and on the HIV epidemic in Africa as a whole. This research will help us better estimate the potential effectiveness of CTL vaccines and other behavioral interventions for reducing HIV transmissions at the population level.

Susan is a Fellow at the Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology (CSDE) and the Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) Sociobehavioral and Prevention Research Core (SPRC). Her work with the SPRC includes providing technical assistance with mathematical modeling of behavioral processes and population-level transmission dynamics of HIV. She has already provided assistance to Cynthia Pearson, a UW research scientist in the department of Psychology and a PhD candidate in the Health Services department, who is exploring the relationship between post-treatment behavioral disinhibition among people receiving therapy for HIV/AIDS and secondary transmission rates in Mozambique. Using data collected on sexual behavior patterns over time, they have created a model to predict reinfection rates. Susan has also begun work on a state-of-the-art review paper on mathematical modeling of HIV transmission dynamics as it relates specifically to behavior, which will complement reviews written by other members of the SPRC on adherence and prevention.

When she is not engaged in these pursuits, Susan can often be found on the Ultimate Frisbee field.