MRC Epidemiology UnitCo-Director
Global Diet and Activity Research Network
Senior Research Associate
Population Health Interventions
Qualifications
- PhD Community Health – University of Auckland, New Zealand, 2012
- MA Kinesiology – University of Western Ontario, Canada, 2007
- BA/BSc Psychology/Biology – University of Auckland, New Zealand, 2005
Background and experience
Lou is a public health scientist exploring how altering physical, social or policy environments can shift population patterns of physical activity and diet. Her research portfolio has two themes: evaluation and evidence synthesis.
She joined the MRC Epidemiology Unit in 2013, working on a natural experimental evaluation of the health effects of a new urban motorway. Following that she completed a fellowship exploring the effects of interventions on multiple behaviours within their temporal and spatial context. She joined the Global Diet and Activity Research Group and Network (GDAR) in 2018, leading a natural experimental evaluation of a new supermarket in Kisumu, Kenya; and a mixed-method systematic review and meta-ethnography of travel inequity in Africa. She is the co-director of the GDAR network in 2024-25.
Prior to joining the MRC Epidemiology Unit Lou completed a MA at the University of Western Ontario, examining potential mechanisms for exercise as a treatment for depression; and a PhD at the University of Auckland, examining aspects of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in children. Lou spent five years working as a Research Fellow at the National Institute for Health Innovation in Auckland, primarily involved in the conduct of pragmatic randomised controlled trials.
Current work and interests
Lou is the co-lead of the GDAR group at the MRC Epidemiology Unit. GDAR is exploring the interaction of mass urbanisation, rapid climate change, and epidemics of poor diet and rising physical inactivity.
Currently, Lou is contributing to a series of projects examining the spatial distribution of features of the built environment relevant to diet and physical activity in four African cities. In tandem, she is examining the association of the built environment with health behaviours and health outcomes in South Asia. More broadly, she is developing conceptual and methodological approaches to conduct meaningful and rigorous public and global health research at scale.