Aine O'Connor

Doctoral Student
Department of Health Behavior

About

Áine is a health and place researcher with a Master of Public Health from Washington University in St. Louis and a background in community development and political science. Her research is concerned with prevention of noncommunicable disease and maintenance of wellbeing through the life course. She is specifically interested in using a systems lens to measure and intervene on health inequities resulting from structural racism and socioeconomic disparities, with a focus on expanding opportunities for active living. A former research manager, Áine has experience with mixed-methods study design, community and stakeholder engagement for place-based research, and the implementation and evaluation of projects and programs related to the urban built environment.

Áine is originally from St. Louis, MO but has also lived in Omaha, Kansas City, Atlanta, and finally Dublin, Ireland before coming to UNC Chapel Hill.

Research Activities

Áine’s current and past research includes work on the built environment, health equity, physical activity, parks and green space, diabetes prevention and management, environmental justice, systems science, and community-based participatory research.

Education

  • M.P.H., , Washington University in St. Louis
  • B.A., Political Science and Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology, Washington University in St. Louis