My name is Dr Eleanor (Ellie) Murray. I am an epidemiology methodologist, who researches and writes about designing and conducting research studies, analyzing data, and understanding the answers so that we can improve the health of our communities. I am also a science communicator focusing on public health literacy, so that everyone can better understand how our actions affect our health, the health of our neighbors and communities, and the health of our planet.

Epidemiology is the study of health and disease at the population level. This includes the study of treatments, causes, and prevention of diseases, as well as understanding how to improve health of individuals and communities.

I have a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology (primarily ecology and evolution) from McGill University in Canada, after which I worked in a number of developmental biology and cell biology labs.

I have a Master’s of Public Health in Epidemiology from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, a Master’s of Science in Biostatistics from Harvard University TH Chan School of Public Health, and a Doctorate of Science (ScD) in Epidemiology from Harvard, with minors in infectious disease epidemiology, biostatistics, and causal methods.

I have published in leading epidemiology journals, as well as biology, economics, and specialty journals. During the COVID-19 pandemic I was a weekly guest expert on BBC World Service radio’s Outside Source program. I am an associate editor for social media at the American Journal of Epidemiology, and co-host of the podcast Casual Inference.