Dr Rachel Sippy

Dr Rachel Sippy is a JRF conducting epidemiologic research focusing on the drivers and determinants of infectious disease seasonality and dynamics, primarily focusing on dengue fever and other mosquito-borne arboviruses.

Data are a critical scientific resource, integral to the scientific process. Technological improvements have increased the precision of our measurements as well as our ability to generate and store data – but has this improved our science? Dr Sippy’s epidemiologic research focuses on the drivers and determinants of infectious disease seasonality and dynamics, primarily focusing on dengue fever and other mosquito-borne arboviruses. This work uses a combination of phylogenetic analyses and statistical modelling. Additional work on this topic has examined the role of climate and the environment at different scales, including microclimates and household-level built environments. She is also interested in the use of machine learning for prediction models of clinical outcomes among patients with dengue or environmental exposures impacting mosquito abundance. Within the context of complex environmental factors and vector-borne disease, methods of variable measurement must be carefully considered, as a relationship between variables may only reveal itself at particular scales.

Dr Sippy is also interested in the practical implications of epidemiological research, having conducted fieldwork in Ecuador. These projects included a series of trials to examine potential household interventions to reduce mosquito populations, surveillance of acute febrile illness, monitoring seasonal mosquito and tick population levels, climate and environmental monitoring, and clinical trials of chikungunya vaccine.

Dr Sippy advocates for improvements in the teaching of and communication regarding epidemiology, data, and statistics, both in formal classrooms and to the general public. Examples include public outreach events on the life stages of important disease vectors and creating clinical guidelines for tick-borne illnesses in Ecuador, as well as courses/workshops on computing for epidemiology/statistics, statistical modelling, machine learning, data management, and data visualization. She also serves as co-chair of the Communications Committee of the Society for Epidemiologic Research.