Klauss Villalva Serra Jr, MD, G1
Mentor: Timothy Sterling, MD
Research interests: Infectious disease epidemiology, with a particular focus on Tuberculosis and HIV
Biography
I earned my MD from Salvador University (UNIFACS) in Bahia, Brazil. During medical school, I received extensive research training under Dr. Bruno Andrade at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation and MONSTER group, having later worked as a data analyst with RePORT-Brazil. My research spans tuberculosis and HIV epidemiology, with a particular emphasis on applying advanced data analysis and modeling strategies to improve clinical decision-making and inform evidence-based health policy. Now, I’m honored to pursue a PhD in Epidemiology at Vanderbilt University under the mentorship of Dr. Timothy Sterling, aiming to produce research that advances global public health and promotes high-quality, equitable care.
Why Vanderbilt?
Prior collaborations with Vanderbilt faculty through RePORT-International deepened my interest in epidemiology, causal inference, and infectious diseases research, which motivated me to pursue this PhD. I was especially drawn to program’s interdisciplinary approach and rigorous quantitative training, as well as the opportunity to learn from Dr. Sterling and several other renowned investigators in the Department of Epidemiology and the Vanderbilt Tuberculosis Center. Vanderbilt’s culture of close mentorship, collaborative learning, and access to rich clinical and population-based data provide the ideal environment to continue my education and develop evidence which accelerates impactful research, while also translating findings into policy and practice.