Image
Mary DeSilva

Mary Bachman DeSilva, ScD, MS, MSFS.

Associate Research Professor, Public Health
Associate Director for Research, Center for Excellence in Public Health
Interim Director, Center on Aging and Health

Dr. DeSilva is an epidemiologist and demographer, with additional expertise in quantitative analytic skills, writing, grantsmanship, and mentoring. Over the past twenty years, she has worked closely with a variety of public health and development projects in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. She currently provides expertise on mixed method research design, survey methodology, and statistical analysis to applied studies designed to improve child, caregiver, and family health.  Her past research has focused on orphans and vulnerable children (OVC); social and economic effects of HIV/AIDS and antiretroviral (ART) treatment; and medication adherence metrics and interventions. Dr. DeSilva recently completed a mixed methods study funded by the National Institutes for Health focused on reducing stigma among youth living with HIV in Vietnam.  Her research interests include child and adolescent health; caregiver health and nutrition; immigrant and refugee health; and chronic and mental health issues in these population groups. Dr. DeSilva came to UNE in 2016 from the Boston University School of Public Health, and spent the 2016-2017 academic year resident in Hanoi.

Credentials