^{31 May 2019}

Dr Audrie Lin joins RISE from the University of California, Berkeley’s School of Public Health. She focuses on assessing adult and child health through survey and biological specimen collection.

How did you come to be involved with RISE?

AL: I collaborated with Steve Luby (lead of RISE Objective 3) on the WASH Benefits study, a pair of trials in rural Bangladesh and Kenya to evaluate the impacts of single and combined water, sanitation, handwashing, and nutritional interventions on child health and development. I was excited to collaborate with Steve again and join the RISE program with its innovative approach to intervention co-design and water and sanitation management in an urban context.

What does your research focus on?

AL: My research focuses on maternal and child health, specifically in the areas of: environmental enteric dysfunction, protozoan infections, immune status, microbiome, telomere epidemiology and aging, the biology of stress, social determinants of health, and intimate partner violence. I evaluate the impact of randomized drinking water, sanitation, handwashing, and nutritional interventions on health and disease.

Within RISE I focus on the assessment of adult and child health (Objective 3) through survey and biological specimen collection. We are planning to test the biological specimens for inflammatory markers, nutritional status, environmental enteric dysfunction, microbiome, pathogens, and antibiotic resistance.

What do you hope will come out of your research?

AL: I hope to generate multi-disciplinary research evidence to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes in vulnerable populations, with a focus on women and children living in low-income countries. I am passionate about mentoring students and building the capacity of local scientists to conduct public health research.

What do you most enjoy about your work with RISE?

AL: I love learning from and working with all of the RISE team members and community members to improve health and the environment and address important scientific questions. Their enthusiasm and dedication is inspiring.