Sitara M. Weerakoon, PhD, MPH

I study how neighborhood environments, structural conditions, and social supports shape adolescent and young adult mental health and substance use. My work centers health equity and identifies modifiable risk and protective factors that can inform prevention.

I use epidemiologic and biostatistical methods, secondary analysis of large national datasets, spatial analysis, and community-engaged research. I work primarily in R, Stata, SAS, and ArcGIS, with an emphasis on transparent measurement and responsible interpretation.

I teach applied biostatistics and epidemiologic methods, with an emphasis on making quantitative concepts accessible and connecting statistical techniques to real public health questions. My courses incorporate R and applied public health data.

I welcome inquiries about research collaborations, invited talks, panels, workshops, and projects related to adolescent health, substance use, mental health, epidemiology, biostatistics, and health equity.

I welcome thoughtful inquiries from students and early-career public health professionals about training, research, and academic pathways. My availability varies, so please include your goals and timeline in your message.

Please use the contact form and briefly describe your inquiry, organization or affiliation, and any relevant timeline. I typically respond within 3–5 business days.