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BRIGHT
LAB
The BRIGHT Lab
Bridging Research & Innovation for Global Health Transformation
An interdisciplinary research group advancing One Health, systems science, implementation science, and health equity through collaborative research and real-world solutions.
Faculty
Daniel Acosta
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Environmental
and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions
Center for African Studies, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Sahel Research Group
University of Florida
Dr. Acosta's research includes projects related to climate change and health, nutrition, food security, vaccine supply chains, vaccine value chains, and mental health. He is a mixed-methods researcher with experience in both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis in complex environments, such as Senegal, Mauritania, and the Karamoja subregion of Uganda. Dr. Acosta teaches several courses at PHHP about global health, public health, environmental health, and one health.
PhD Public Health with
One Health concentration
· University of Florida, U.S.
MS Sustainable Development
· University of Florida, U.S.
BS Industrial Engineering
· Universidad del Norte, Colombia
Sarah L. McKune
Professor, Interim Chair
Department of Environmental
and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions
Center for African Studies, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Sahel Research Group
University of Florida
Dr. McKune’s research investigates the complex, human and natural system dynamics – including hygiene, livestock ownership, climate, and social determinants - that affect human health outcomes. Though her work often focuses on child growth and nutritional outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa, she has contributed to understanding of HIV/AIDS, maternal health outcomes, Ebola, and, most recently, COVID-19.
PhD Interdisciplinary Ecology
2012 · University of Florida, U.S.
MPH Global Health
2002 · Emory University, U.S.
BA French and Sociology
1999 · Wofford College, U.S.
Heather Stark
Clinical Associate Professor
Department of Environmental
and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions
University of Florida
Dr. Stark's research projects include improving maternal and child health, nutrition, and health disparities in the African countries of Burkina Faso, South Sudan, Rwanda, and Ethiopia. Dr. Stark teaches courses at the undergraduate and graduate level in the College of Public Health and Health Professions, on global health, epidemiology, nutrition and clinical diagnosis.
Doctor of Medicine
· University of Maryland, U.S.
MPH Global Health
· University of Florida, U.S.
Bachelor of Science
· Johns Hopkins, U.S.
Our Affiliations
Postdocs and Staff
Ph.D. Students
Masters Students
Bachelors of Public Health Students
Featured Alumni
Selected Projects
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BRIGHT LAB
We foster multiple pathways
for involvement in the BRIGHT Lab
Students may participate by attending lab meetings, contributing to ongoing studies, developing projects from existing datasets, or pursuing independent research questions. We encourage students to cultivate their interests and will help identify opportunities that match their goals and experience level.
Professor Contacts:
daniel.acosta@phhp.ufl.edu
smckune@ufl.edu; HPNP (352-273-9449); CAS (352-273-4757)
Offices:
Department of Environmental
and Global Health
Physical address:
HPNP Building, Room 4158
1225 Center Drive
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32610
Mailing address:
PO Box 100188
Gainesville, FL 32610
Center for African Studies
Physical address:
402 Grinter Hall
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32610
New Student Inquiries:
Recent Publications
DEUX OEUFs: Cracking the potential of eggs to improve child growth and development: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) study protocol. Tiwari, C.; Acosta, D.; Matsiko, E.; Kampire, A.; Nsabimana, A.; Stark, H.; Andrade Laborde, J.; Yang, Y.; Nsereko, E.; Reider, K.; Kirby, M.; and S. McKune. (2025). Trials. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-025-09237-3
Investigating impact of the Un Oeuf trial on egg production and child egg consumption in Burkina Faso. Adesogan, O., Tiwari, C., Havelaar, A., Hendrickx, S., Vyas, D., Stark. H., Wereme N’Diaye, A., Yacouba, Z., and McKune, S. (2025). The Journal of Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.101273
Livestock ownership, ASF consumption and child nutrition in Rwanda: A multilevel mixed effect approach.
Mirzajonova, G., Tiwari, C., Paro., F., Rashid, K., Acosta, D., Ahmed, I., McKune S., (2025). Scientific Reports. 15, 30443. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97365-w
Creativity, storytelling, and play in the study of empowerment: Applications for feminist approaches to development practice. McNamara, K., McOmber, C., and McKune, S. (2025). Development In Practice.
Transmission pathways of Campylobacter jejuni between humans and livestock in rural Ethiopia are highly complex and interdependent.
Singh, N., Thystrup, C., Hassen, B., Rajashekara, G., Hald, T., Manary, M., McKune, S., Hassen, J., Smith, H., Marshall, J., French, N., and A. Havelaar. (2025) Gut Pathogens. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13099-025-00691-7.
Intersectionality Matters: An Analysis of Women's Empowerment in Livestock Settings. Serra, R., McKune, S., Ludgate, N., Singh, N., Devkota, K., Fall, M., Obin, G., and Russo, S. (2025). World Development. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2025.107000
Campylobacter colonization and undernutrition in infants in rural Eastern Ethiopia: a longitudinal community-based birth cohort study.
Chen, D., McKune, S., Yang, Y., Usmane, IA, Ahmed, IA, Amin, JK, Ibrahim, AM, Seran, AJ, Sheik, N., Ojeda, A., Hassen, BM, Deblais, L., Ahmedo, BU, Hassen, KA, Bhrane, M., Li, X., Singh, N., Roba, KT, French, N., Rajashekara, G., Manary, M., Hassen, JY, Havelaar, A., and the CAGED Research Team (2025). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1467462
Assessing fecal contamination from human and environmental sources using Escherichia coli as an indicator in rural eastern Ethiopian households - a study from the EXCAM project.
Deblais, L., Usmael, B., Ojeda, A., Mummed, B., Wang, Y., Mekonnen, Y., Demisie, Y., Hassen, K., Brhane, M., McKune, S., Havelaar, A., Liang, S., and G. Rajashekara (2025) Frontiers in Public Health. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1484808
Geospatial Analysis of Multilevel Socio-environmental Factors Impacting the Campylobacter Burden Among Infants in Rural Eastern Ethiopia: A One Health Perspective.
Li, X, Chen D, Hassen J, Liang S, McKune S, Havelaar A, Blackburn J. (2024). American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.07.03.24309853
Climate Change and Health in the Sahel: A Systematic Review.
Acosta, D., Barrow, A., Mahamadou, I. S., Assuncao, V. S., Edwards, M., and McKune, S. (2024). Royal Society Open Science. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.231602
Improving Nutrition Security in LMICs and the Role of Animal Source Foods.
Paro, F., Davour, R., Acosta, D., Mechlowitz, K., Tiwari, C., and McKune, S. (2024). Annual Review of Animal Biosciences. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-animal-111523-102149