Mentor Areas
Dr. Buttenheim is a public health scientist and behavioral designer whose research addresses persistent challenges and wicked problems in global health. Proficiency with econometrics and statistical analysis is highly desired. Must have taken some courses in economics and have strong interest in global health and development.Applying the toolkits and frameworks of behavioral economics and human centerd design, Dr. Buttenheim designs, trials and scales interventions to change individual, provider, and policy-maker behavior. Currently funded research is in HIV services delivery and vaccine acceptance, focused in South Africa. Dr. Buttenheim is the Silverstein Professor of Global Women's Health in the Department of Family and Community Health at Penn Nursing, and is also appointment in the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy at the Perelman School of Medicine. Professor Buttenheim Co-Directs the BEGIN Lab with Professor Harsha Thirumurthy and serves as Scientific Director of Penn's Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics.
Students can also be co-mentored by Professor Harsha Thirumurthy, whose interests lie at the intersection of economics and public health. A major focus of his research has been to use insights from economics and psychology to design and evaluate interventions to achieve better health outcomes in low-income settings. His research has also studied the economic impacts of large-scale health initiatives.
Description:
Research assistants in the BEGIN Lab work with investigators and research staff on a wide range of research support activities, from data collection, cleaning and analysis to literature reviews, manuscript preparation, and ethics submissions. We are a fun and focused team looking for creative and curious research assitants to help us move our research agenda forward.
Preferred Qualifications
Prior research or coursework experience in social sciences, public health, statistics or economics is highly desirable. Demonstrated curiosity, diligence, and creativity in prior work or volunteer activities are also highly valued. Strong interest in global health, human centered design, and/or behavioral economics is a must.
Project Website
Learn more about the researcher and/or the project here. Behavioral Economics and Global Health Insights (BEGIN) Lab
Details:
Preferred Student Year
First-year, Second-Year, Junior, Senior
Academic Term
Fall, Spring, Summer
I prefer to have students start during the above term(s).Volunteer
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to volunteers.Paid
No
Yes indicates that faculty are open to paying students they engage in their research, regardless of their work-study eligibility.Work Study
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to hiring work-study-eligible students.