Infectious Diseases

My research focuses on the ecology of infectious disease. I am interested in how climate, species interactions, and global change drive infectious disease dynamics in humans and natural ecosystems. This research combines mathematical modeling and empirical work.

I have conducted human field epidemiologic research in infectious diseases for more than fifteen years and have developed the experience, expertise, and collaborative networks needed to manage and coordinate complex field epidemiology projects. I have a broad background in pediatric infectious disease, with specific training in key research areas such as climate change, child health, tropical medicine, epidemiology, virology, and advanced immunology.

My work broadly investigates the drivers of population health improvements in developing countries. I study how economic, political, and natural environments affect population health. I use a mix of experimental, econometric, qualitative, modeling, and demographic tools to produce insights and strategies for improving health. A sample of current projects address the following questions:

•What role does US foreign aid play in reducing mortality and improving equity in developing countries?

I am a biological anthropologist with research interests in human ecology, demography and life history theory, and the ecology and evolutionary biology of infectious disease. A sampling of current projects includes: (1) human dimensions of primate retroviral transmission, (2) the impact of mobility and social contacts on the spillover and transmission of avian influenza, (3) the demography of residential mobility among Hadza hunter-gatherers, (4) fertility change, economic shocks, and reproductive decisions.

Dr. Luby studied philosophy and earned a Bachelor of Arts summa cum laude from Creighton University. He earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas and completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of Rochester-Strong Memorial Hospital. He studied epidemiology and preventive medicine at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

I am a theoretical ecologist by formation, I am generally interested in investigating factors and processes driving the dynamics of natural and harvested populations and in understanding how to use this knowledge to inform practical management.