OraLee Branch, PhD
From malaria genetics in the Peruvian Amazon to digital health innovation—two decades of research that matters.
Two decades. Two major research programs.
Phase I: Malaria Genetics (1998–2015)
Pioneering work on Plasmodium falciparum population genetics, vaccine candidate diversity, and host–parasite interactions. Field research in the Peruvian Amazon and Kenya’s Asembo Bay region.
Phase II: Digital Health (2019–Present)
Applied health research studying how personalized digital coaching programs drive engagement and outcomes—with the surprising finding that adults over 65 engage at rates exceeding younger cohorts.
Representative work from 219 papers
Population structure shapes copy number variation in malaria parasites
Cheeseman IH, Miller B, Tan JC, … Branch OLH, … Molecular Biology and Evolution 33(3):603, 2016 · Cited by 66
P. falciparum Genotypes, Low Complexity of Infection, and Resistance to Subsequent Malaria
Branch OH, Takala S, Kariuki S, … Infection and Immunity 69(12):7783-7792, 2001 · Cited by 114
P. falciparum Genetic Diversity Maintained Over 5 Years of Low Transmission in Peru
Branch OLH, Sutton PL, Barnes C, … Molecular Biology and Evolution 28(7):1973, 2011 · Cited by 70
Genetic diversity of vaccine candidate antigens in P. falciparum from the Amazon
Chenet SM, Branch OLH, Escalante AA, … Malaria Journal 7:93, 2008 · Cited by 71
Older adults engage with personalized digital coaching at rates exceeding younger adults
Graham SA, Stein N, Shemaj F, Branch OLH, … Frontiers in Digital Health 3:642818, 2021 · Cited by 50
Digital health prevention programs associated with weight loss in adults 65+
Auster-Gussman LA, Lockwood KG, … Branch OLH, … Frontiers in Digital Health 4:886783, 2022 · Cited by 27
Full publication list: Google Scholar · ResearchGate · Frontiers Loop
Academic positions
National Institutes of Health
Postdoctoral Fellow
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Professor
New York University
Professor
Concordia University
Professor
Education: PhD in Evolutionary Ecology & Population Biology, Emory University
Recognition: Young Investigator Award, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Parkdale, Oregon
OraLee lives in Parkdale, Oregon on a small farm surrounded by gardens. Her evolutionary ecology background ignited a lifelong passion for ecological balance, sustainability, and the science of growing things.
After living in Atlanta, New York City, and Birmingham, OraLee moved to Parkdale in 2017. As a certified Master Gardener, she brings a scientist’s perspective to Hood River County’s land conservation efforts. She enjoys skiing and trail biking while appreciating all the beauty and wonder of Oregon’s natural treasures.
Get in touch
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