Dagna Constenla
Ellicott City,MD
Summary
A seasoned health economics and health outcomes leader with two decades of global experience in health economics and epidemiology research. An innovative thinker with a strong background in vaccine and medicine research, and business acumen. Skilled in various strategies across the vaccine and medicine value chain, drawing from experiences in academia, industry, consulting, and non-profits. Experienced in leading teams, managing people, and communicating effectively under pressure. Driven by a passion for learning, facing challenges, social justice, helping others, and making a positive impact on the world.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Epidemiology
GSK
Rockville, MD
05.2021 - Current
- Provided scientific direction and guided execution of post-marketing safety and effectiveness studies using RWE for vaccine registration in compliance with development plans.
- Developed epidemiologic study protocols and statistical analysis plans for studies utilizing electronic health administrative claims, electronic health records, and public health registries.
- Collaborated with Medical Affairs, Epidemiology, Biostatisticians, Health Outcomes and Regulatory teams to align vaccination strategies and offer scientific guidance for addressing evidence gaps globally.
- Generated scientific evidence about the risks and benefits of vaccines and therapeutics in the USA and worldwide to support the strategic direction of vaccine and therapeutics development.
Head and Regional Director, Epi & Health Outcomes
GSK
Panama City, Panama
01.2019 - 05.2021
- Oversaw the direction of the region’s value of evidence and outcomes team, ensuring efficient management across multiple markets in LATAM.
- Led and ensured on-time delivery of regionally aligned value evidence generation strategies and plans to address prioritized assets.
- Provided scientific, methodological, and analytical expertise to execute pharmacoepidemiological and pharmacoeconomic studies regionally and country-level.
- Collaborated with LOCs, region partners, and matrix teams to strategically align initiatives and offer scientific expertise in addressing regional evidence gaps. Secured funding and conducted resource planning for the region.
- Implemented value-driven strategies for multiple external stakeholders at the regional level, conducting evidence-based studies that supported decision-making by payers, providers, policymakers, and patients.
- Established partnerships with health technology assessment organizations and regulatory bodies to ensure congruence in evidence generation requirements.
Associate Professor
Johns Hopkins School of Public Health
Baltimore, MD
01.2011 - 12.2021
- Engaged in extensive grant development and research work, earning external funding (90% FTE) between 2011 and 2019.
- Primary Instructor for graduate-level health policy and economic evaluation courses while also serving as co-instructor for year-round graduate-level seminars on health service research from 2011 to 2021.
- Provided guidance and support to graduate students pursuing degrees in MPH, MSPH, MHS HE, MPH/MBA, PhD programs as well as medical residents in different departments.
- Facilitated practicum and capstone opportunities for MPH, MSPH, and MHS HE students.
- Contributed to the planning and design of the Master of Science in Health Economics curricula.
- Contributed to the application process for a PhD concentration in Health Economics and Health Policy within the International Health and Health Policy and Management departments.
Head and Director, Health Economics & Finance
Johns Hopkins School of Public Health
Baltimore, MD
01.2011 - 12.2018
- Managed an interdisciplinary team of faculty members, senior technical staff, and graduate level research assistants within the Economics and Financing division at the International Vaccine Access Center.
- Contributed to the strategy, management, and execution of field research projects related to economics, finance, and health policy.
- Implemented strategic plans to expand portfolio of vaccine economics and finance research by leveraging RWE in resource-constrained settings.
- Collaborated with senior leadership to set long-term objectives for the Center.
- Obtained funding from renowned funding partners like BMGF and World Bank, facilitating effective resource planning for faculty and senior technical staff.
- Conducted training sessions for epidemiologists, health economists, medical doctors, and decision-makers in mastering health economics and financing concepts.
- Recruited, trained, supervised, evaluated and mentored faculty and graduate-level research assistants.
Senior Manager
GSK Vaccines
Brussels, Belgium
01.2006 - 01.2011
- Developed and implemented research programs in epidemiology and health economics to secure price and reimbursement/funding for vaccines under development in the EU and Africa region, incorporating clinical, economic, and societal endpoints.
- Supported cross-functional stakeholders in planning, designing, and executing outcomes research studies for the malaria franchise.
- Executed planned health economic malaria deliverables through effective management of a global network of malaria stakeholders.
- Contributed to the development of evidence generation plans for the malaria franchise, ensuring alignment with global market access strategy and timely delivery of outputs.
Executive Director
Medical Technology Assessment Consulting
Denver, CO
01.2005 - 12.2006
- Developed and implemented strategic plans to ensure organizational growth and development.
- Secured funding from public and private sources through grant writing activities or other fundraising efforts.
- Provided scientific and management guidance for evaluating adult and pediatric vaccines (e.g., rotavirus, pneumococcal, meningococcal) and other therapies globally.
- Generated evidence-based data to advance public health policies in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Conducted epidemiology and health economic studies to evaluate vaccines and therapies globally, regionally, and at the country level.
- Launched the PAHO ProVac Initiative in the Latin American region to enhance accessibility and knowledge on ProVac tools and methodological guidance for estimating impact, costs, and cost-effectiveness.
Associate Director of Projects
Emory University, School of Public Health
Atlanta, GA
01.2003 - 01.2005
- Supervised the day-to-day functioning of multi-center rotavirus epidemiologic and health economic studies in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Led recruitment, hiring, and retention of a diverse team of experts in multiple countries to conduct fieldwork.
- Provided leadership to key regional stakeholders in planning and developing survey instruments, guidelines, and procedures for data collection in multiple countries.
- Organized and facilitated workshops and expert panel meetings in multiple countries to educate local stakeholders on the cost and cost-effectiveness of rotavirus vaccination programs.
- Performed multi-country economic analyses to measure the impact of rotavirus vaccines, influencing regional public health policies.
Technical Advisor/Program Director of Projects
PAHO
Washington DC
01.1999 - 01.2003
- Conducted epidemiological burden of disease studies and economic evaluations to assess the value of pneumococcal vaccines at country and regional levels.
- Managed all aspects of research activities, including project supervision, data collection, and analysis plans.
- Contributed to the shaping of public health policies within Latin American and Caribbean countries through the provision of training services.
- Recruited, hired, and retained a multidisciplinary team of experts in various countries within the region.
- Led the production of technical reports and manuscripts.
- Represented the organization at various international meetings, conferences and symposia.
Project Manager
MEDTAP International
London
01.1996 - 01.1999
- Conducted outcomes research on chronic and infectious diseases in European, African, and Asian countries focusing on oncology, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, pain management, hepatitis B, and human immunodeficiency virus.
- Analyzed data from various sources such as surveys, interviews, focus groups to inform decision-making related to projects.
- Contributed to enhancing outcomes research by providing technical support and delivering comprehensive training across various European countries and the US.
- Provided strategic direction for outcomes research activities targeting unmet medical needs in Europe and the US.
- Led production of technical reports and manuscripts.
- Attended and contributed to multiple international engagements on behalf of the consultancy firm.
Education
Ph.D. - Health Economics
University of London
London01-2006
Master of Philosophy - Public Health And Policy
London School of Hygiene And Tropical Medicine
London09-2000
Diploma - Health Planning And Health Policy
University of London
London09-1998
Master of Public Administration - Public Health Administration
California State University - East Bay
Hayward, CA09-1996
Skills
- Health economics and financing
- Health technology assessment
- Disease surveillance
- Systems monitoring
- Quantitative analysis
- Qualitative analysis
- Health economic and epidemiology study design
- Health economic modeling
- Research methods
- Project management
- RWE/RWD
- Data Analytics
- Data collection, analysis and interpretation
- Strategic Planning
- Cross-functional team leadership
- People management
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
French
Limited
Portuguese
Limited
Selected peer-reviewed publications (10 of 77)
1. De Broucker G, Ahmed S, Hasan Md Z, Mehdi GG, Martin del Campo J, Ali Md W, Uddin Md J, Constenla D, Patenaude B. The economic burden of measles in children under five in Bangladesh. BMC Health Services Research 2020;20:1026. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-05880-5
2. De Broucker G, Ssebagereka A, Aloysius M, Ekirapa Kiracho E, Patenaude B, Constenla D. The cost and economic burden of measles in children under five in Uganda. Vaccine X 2020;6(11):100077. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvacx.2020.100077
3. Sim SY, Watts E, Constenla D, Shuoning H, Brenzel L, Patenaue BN. Costs of immunization programs for 10 vaccines in 94 low- and middle-income countries from 2011-2030. Value in Health. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jval.2020.07.010
4. Watts E, Sim SY, Constenla D, Sriudomporn S, Brenzel L, Patenaue BN. Return on Investment from Immunization Programs Against 10 Pathogens in 94 Low- and Middle-Income Countries from 2011-2030. Health Affairs;39(8): 1343–1353, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2020.00103
5. Constenla D, Garcia C*, Gentile A, Berezin E, Hortal M, Carvalho A, Nascimento-Carvalho C. Estimating the costs of invasive pneumococcal disease in older children and adults in selected countries of Latin America. PharmacoEconomics 2019.
6. Constenla D, Velázquez FR, Rheingans RD, Antil L, Cervantes Y. Economic impact of a rotavirus vaccination program in Mexico. Pan Am J Public Health. 2009;25(6):481-490.
7. Constenla D, Sinha A, Valencia JE, Gomez E, de la Hoz F, Valenzuela MT, et al. Identifying unit costs for use in regional economic evaluation: An example of an economic analysis of childhood pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Latin America and the Caribbean. Pan Am J Public Health 2009;26(5):458-68.
8. Constenla D, Linhares A, Rheingans RD, Antil L, Waldman EA, da Silva LJ. Economic impact of a rotavirus vaccine in Brazil. Journal Health Popul Nutr 2008;26:388-396.
9. Sinha A, Constenla D, Valencia JE, O’Loughlin R, Gomez E, de la Hoz F, et al. The cost-effectiveness of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Latin American and the Caribbean: A regional analysis. Pan Am J Public Health 2008;24(5):304-13.
10. Rheingans RD, Constenla D, Antil L, Innis B, Breuer T. Cost-Effectiveness of vaccination for rotavirus gastroenteritis in Latin America. Pan Am J Public Health 2007;21(4):205-216.
Recent Participation on Advisory Panels/Expert Committees
2016-17 The Dengue HECON Model Advisory Panel, Panama City, Panama, Philadephia
2016-17 Advancing the Value of Vaccines Research Agenda, Boston
2016-17 Immunization Costing: What Have We Learned? Can We Do Better?, Washington D.C.
2016-18 Global Dengue and Aedes-Transmitted Diseases Consortium (GDAC), Consortium member
2016-18 Dengue Vaccine Economics Working Group, Subcommittee to the WHO Working Group of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE)
2011-16 Economic Evaluation of Vaccines Designed to Prevent Infectious Disease: Good Practices Task Force
2011-16 Pediatric Vaccines Outcomes Research Advisory Panel
Selected Editorial Activities
Ad hoc peer reviewer, cumulative 2000-2021 including but not limited to: American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Anales de Pediatria, BioMed Central Infectious Diseases, BMC Health Services Research, BMC Public Health, British Medical Journal, Bulletin of the World Health Organization, Clinical Infectious Diseases, Expert Review of Vaccines, Health Affairs.
Accomplishments
2019 Nomination | Gavi's Independent Assessment Committee (IAC) for the PCV AMC
2005-present LSHTM Alumni Association
2004-present Delta Omega Honor Society in Public Health
2001-2003 Pre-Doctoral Fellow, Pan-American Health Organization Award
1995 Magna Cum Laude, California State University
1993 Magna Cum Laude, California State University
1992-1994 Golden Key National Honor Society Fellow
Timeline
Director, Epidemiology
GSK
05.2021 - Current
Head and Regional Director, Epi & Health Outcomes
GSK
01.2019 - 05.2021
Associate Professor
Johns Hopkins School of Public Health
01.2011 - 12.2021
Head and Director, Health Economics & Finance
Johns Hopkins School of Public Health
01.2011 - 12.2018
Senior Manager
GSK Vaccines
01.2006 - 01.2011
Executive Director
Medical Technology Assessment Consulting
01.2005 - 12.2006
Associate Director of Projects
Emory University, School of Public Health
01.2003 - 01.2005
Technical Advisor/Program Director of Projects
PAHO
01.1999 - 01.2003
Project Manager
MEDTAP International
01.1996 - 01.1999
Ph.D. - Health Economics
University of London
Master of Philosophy - Public Health And Policy
London School of Hygiene And Tropical Medicine
Diploma - Health Planning And Health Policy
University of London
Master of Public Administration - Public Health Administration
California State University - East Bay