VACCINES, INFECTIOUS DISEASE PREVENTION, & EPIDEMIOLOGY RESEARCH (VIPER) GROUP
NICOLE E. BASTA, PHD MPHIL
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Dr. Nicole E. Basta is PI of the VIPER Group. Nicole is an infectious disease epidemiologist and vaccinologist with expertise in designing and implementing epidemiological studies that generate critical biological, clinical, and behavioral evidence. The goal of her research is to optimize disease prevention and control. She draws upon her background in epidemiology, biostatistics, ecology and evolutionary biology, public health and global health to improve the prevention and control of infectious diseases.
The aim of Dr. Basta's research is to 1) maximize the impact of vaccines and immunization programs, 2) increase vaccine awareness, acceptance, and uptake, and 3) advance our understanding of infectious disease epidemiology to tailor prevention and control strategies.
DAWN NEDERHOFF, MPH
STUDY COORDINATOR
Since 2011 Dawn has been a study coordinator in the Division of Epidemiology and Community Health at the University of Minnesota. Dawn is interested in research pertaining to infectious disease and vaccines, both internationally and locally. Dawn enjoys the hands on experience of working closely with team members and study participants.
VALÉRIE RODRIGUE, MSC
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Valérie earned her MSc Epidemiology degree at McGill University. Her research interests include emerging infectious diseases, vaccination during pregnancy and vaccination among older adults. She is now working on a project investigating the impact of media exposure and intimate partner violence on vaccine uptake among older adults.
ALEXANDRA PEEBLES, MSCPH, MDCM CANDIDATE
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Alexandra earned her Master’s of Science degree in Spring 2021 and is currently completing her Medical degree at McGill University. Her research interests include impact and economic evaluations of vaccine interventions, as well as factors influencing vaccine coverage in special populations.
JI YOON (TIFFANY) KIM, MPH
PHD CANDIDATE
Tiffany Kim is a PhD candidate at McGill University, in the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health. After completing her MPH degree at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, she joined Basta Lab to pursue a PhD in Epidemiology. Her dissertation work will focus on quantifying and understanding disparities in vaccine uptake by immigrant status in various age groups in Canada using both quantitative and qualitative methods.
VAIDEHI NAFADE, MSC
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Vaidehi is a medical student at McGill University. She previously studied pharmacology and epidemiology at McGill and worked as a consultant on a variety of global health projects. Vaidehi supports research on multiple topics spanning vaccine uptake, confidence, research, and more. Outside of McGill, she loves reading, sewing, and hocky.
OLAOLUWA SULE, MSC
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Olaoluwa earned her MSc Epidemiology degree in the department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health at McGill University. Her work in Basta Lab will focus on investigating the equitable distribution of authorship in multinational phase III trials of COVID-19 vaccines. Through her work, Olaoluwa aims to contribute to improving transparency and accountability in the scientific research community.
ANGELINA SASSI, MSC
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Angelina (Angie) Sassi completed her MSc in Epidemiology at McGill University. Before joining the Basta lab, Angie supported research and quality improvement projects in the realm of global health, infectious diseases, and maternal/newborn health. Through her work, Angie strives to bridge the gap between public health research and practice.
YANG ZHANG, MSCPH
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Yang has completed the Master of Science in Public Health program at McGill University. As a full-time RA, Yang will be working with Dr. Basta on multiple research projects to improve the prevention of infectious diseases.
NEETA POKHREL REGMI
PHD STUDENT
Neeta is a PhD student at the University of Minnesota and a research assistant working with Dr. Basta and Dr. Ulrich.
ZUOFU HUANG
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Zuofu is a Biostatistics PhD student at the University of Minnesota and a research assistant working with Dr. Basta and Dr. Ulrich.