Amelie Sigge

Project Title

Fight the Bite - Mixed Methods Study to Explore Prevention and Resilience for Mosquito-Borne Infectious Diseases (MBIDs) in Austria

Research Interest

RESEARCH AREA
This doctoral project examines the emerging public health threat posed by Mosquito-Borne Infectious Diseases (MBIDs) in temperate regions like Austria, driven by the climate-related spread of invasive mosquito species. Despite emerging risks from diseases such as Dengue Fever, Zika, West Nile virus, and Chikungunya, both the Austrian population and the public health system remain insufficiently prepared. The study aims to advance MBID prevention and strengthen health system resilience by analysing individual awareness and preventive behaviour, as well as systemic crisis preparedness.
Methodologically, the project employs a mixed-methods design combining qualitative vignette-based interviews, a quantitative nationally representative survey, as well as participatory research approaches such as focus groups, Group Model Building workshops, and expert panels. The findings aim to generate evidence-based prevention strategies, timely inform stakeholders, and thus effectively improve Austria’s public health.
AREAS OF INTEREST:
• Evidence-Based Public Health
• Prevention and Health Promotion
• Social and Environmental Determinants of Health (i.a. Climate Change)
• Infectious and Vector-Borne Diseases
• Mixed-Methods Research

Supervisors

Prof. Dr. Lukas Kerschbaumer
PD Dr. Günter Fröschl
PD Dr. Maximilian Muenchhoff

 

Curriculum Vitae

EDUCATION

10/2025 - present: PhD Candidate in Medical Research Epidemiology and Public Health at the Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology (IBE), Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich (LMU) (Germany)

09/2023 - 09/2025: Master in International Health and Social Management, Management Center Innsbruck (MCI) (Austria)

02/2020 - 07/2023: Bachelor in Sociology, Leopold-Franzens-University Innsbruck (Austria)

09/2019 - 06/2022: Bachelor in Nonprofit, Social and Health Care Management, Management Center Innsbruck (MCI) (Austria)

WORK EXPERIENCE (selection)

11/2024 - present: Project Assistant and Research Associate, Management Center Innsbruck (MCI), Center for Social & Health Innovation (CSHI) (Austria)

05/2023 - 07/2023: Internship in Nonprofit Management Focusing on Women's Empowerment, Aflii Foundation, Mtwara (Tanzania)

09/2018 - 12/2018: Internship in Street Children Project, Rainbow Garden Village, Accra (Ghana)

Publications

Heiss*, R., Sigge*, A. J., Mialon, M., Aastebøl, A. T., Weingartmair, E., Ahmed, R., Amlung, H., Corsi-Sauer, A., di Vico, C., Diels, S., Klema, J., Kogler, V., Lafer, M., Liebl, K., Pellizzari, L. A., Reineke, E., Schmidhofer, J., Strobl, K., Weber, A., & Wolkenhaar, E. (2025). Non-profit organizations as strategic arms of the food and beverage industry: Case studies in Europe. World Nutrition, 16(3), 47-57. https://doi.org/10.26596/wn.202516347-57 (*co-first authors)

Sigge, A. J., & Kerschbaumer, L. (2025). Elektronische Patientenakte (ePA). Socialnet Lexikon. https://www.socialnet.de/lexikon/Elektronische-Patientenakte

Sigge*, A. J., Weingartmair*, E. M., & Pocecco, E. (2024). Epidemiology in sailing: A systematic literature review including suggestions for injury prevention. Current Issues in Sport Science (CISS), 9(4), 11. https://doi.org/10.36950/2024.4ciss011 (*co-first authors)