The University of Minnesota Office for Public Engagement recognized Kelly Searle with its 2025 Early Career Award, one of a series of public engagement awards that recognize the breadth and depth of community-engaged research, teaching, and service across the University system.

An infectious disease epidemiologist, Searle is interested in understanding malaria transmission dynamics across different endemic settings and the implications for developing and implementing control and elimination strategies. Her work integrates traditional epidemiologic methods with molecular biology, geographic information systems (GIS), spatial sciences, and ecology across field sites in central and southern Africa. Her overarching research aim is to understand how malaria impacts communities and to inform policies to implement the most efficient package of interventions to reduce the burden of malaria and eliminate it where feasible. 

Her current research is focused on the impacts of climate change and malaria risk in Mozambique in collaboration with the National Malaria Control Program and local partners to improve delivery of interventions in the aftermath of severe weather events. 

“These awardees represent truly exemplary university-community partnerships across research, teaching, and outreach that make real differences in society. We are honored to recognize their contributions to community-engaged scholarship!” said Laurie Van Egeren, Vice Provost for Public Engagement.

The 2025 award recipients will be honored at an April 29 awards luncheon for their outstanding publicly engaged work.

About the Office for Public Engagement

The University of Minnesota Office for Public Engagement (OPE)  is a University-wide office that is nationally recognized for advancing community-engaged research, teaching, and outreach. OPE builds and supports infrastructure throughout the University’s five-campus system that promotes deep, mutually beneficial partnerships for scholars, students, and communities throughout Minnesota and beyond.