My research investigates age- and context-specific social contact patterns in Minnesota to understand how interpersonal interactions contribute to the spread of infectious diseases. By integrating survey and census-based demographic data (age, race, gender), I analyze disparities in exposure risk and develop contact matrices to support disease modeling and equitable public health interventions. This work aligns with MPC’s mission by examining the interplay between population dynamics, social context, and disease etiology, especially as it relates to health equity. As a graduate student in Health Informatics and research assistant at MADMC, I contribute to developing evidence-based tools to inform public policy and mitigate health disparities.
Hi! I’m Veda Priya Puligundla, a graduate student pursuing a Master’s in Health Informatics at the University of Minnesota. I come from a pharmacy background, having completed my Bachelor of Pharmacy in India, where I developed a strong foundation in healthcare systems and patient-centered care. Over time, I became deeply interested in the intersection of health, data, and technology, which led me to shift toward the field of health informatics.
My interests lie in using data to drive insights that improve public health outcomes, reduce disparities, and support evidence-based decision-making. I’m especially passionate about personalized medicine, social determinants of health, and applying informatics tools for better disease surveillance and prevention.
Currently, I work as a Research Assistant at the Midwest Analytics and Disease Modeling Center (MADMC), where I’m involved in social contact analysis and building contact matrices using population and survey data. This work supports infectious disease modeling and public health policy planning. I enjoy blending statistical analysis with real-world health data and learning how informatics can bridge gaps in healthcare delivery.
Looking ahead, I aim to work in a space where I can contribute to population health, data-driven research, and healthcare innovation.