About

Dr. Boyce’s research focuses on the spatial and clinical epidemiology of malaria and other vector-borne diseases, particularly in rural, underserved communities. Current projects include (i) an NIH career development award (K23AI141764) that aims to develop more efficient methods of locating and targeting Anopheles mosquito breeding sites and (ii) a randomized controlled trial of insecticide-treated baby carriers, known as “lesus” in Uganda, funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. He has previously received funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Thrasher Research Fund, among others. The driving force behind this work is the goal of developing and operationalizing evidence-based interventions to improve care delivery in resource-limited settings. More locally, Dr. Boyce leads a multi-disciplinary research collaboration, the Vector-Borne Disease Epidemiology, Ecology, and Response (VEER) Hub, focused on issues of tick- and mosquito-borne diseases endemic to North Carolina. The collaboration includes investigators from diverse fields including clinical medicine, epidemiology, immunology, entomology, geography, and veterinary science with partners at North Carolina State University, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the NC Division of Public Health, and Fort Bragg.

Honors and Awards

• Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Clinician Scientist Development Award- 2021
• Best Clinical Article of the Year, American Journal of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene- 2018
• Elsevier Clinical Research Award, ASTMH Annual Meeting- 2015
• Outstanding Resident Research Award, MGH Internal Medicine- 2015
• Okeke Prize & William Simpson Prize, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine- 2011
• Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, UNC School of Medicine- 2010

In the News

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  Routine Pet Dog Checkup Data Can Be Used to Understand Risk of Lyme Disease

  Ross Boyce, MD, MSc, a member of the Institute and assistant professor of medicine and epidemiology, working with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, North Carolina State University and the Animal Hospital of Boone, found data collected from pet dogs at routine veterinary checkups can be used to approximate the risk of … Read more

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  Point-of-Care Diagnostics Guide Antibiotic Use in Rural Uganda

  Globally, the overuse of antibiotics has led to the spread of antimicrobial resistance, and this is a growing threat to child health. Antibiotics are frequently used to treat children with fever and respiratory symptoms, even though most of these illnesses will resolve on their own. The measurement of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood, produced … Read more

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  Lyme Disease Continues to Move South into North Carolina: Boyce Encourages Healthcare Providers to Test Patients who Present with Typical Symptoms

  Ross Boyce, MD, MSc, assistant professor of infectious diseases and epidemiologist with the UNC Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, led a study published in Lancet Regional Health that examined the rapid emergence of Lyme Disease in N.C., between 2010 and 2020. Dr. Boyce says the results confirm what he has experienced clinically; specifically, an increasing … Read more

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  Delayed Diagnosis of Locally Acquired Lyme Disease, Central North Carolina

  Healthcare providers in North Carolina have limited experience diagnosing and managing Lyme disease because few cases occur annually statewide. Researchers have published a case study that demonstrates the need for greater awareness and professional education. The article outlines the prolonged diagnostic course for a patient with locally acquired Lyme disease in North Carolina. The study … Read more

Education