What do you do?
I'm a senior epidemiologist in the Zoonotic and Vector-borne Disease Program.
Describe your educational path. What was your area of study?
I have a Master of Public Health in epidemiology and international health from the University of Michigan and a doctorate in epidemiology from the University of Washington.
My path was not straightforward. In undergrad, I focused on lab sciences (biochemistry). Then in my master's program I focused on chronic disease, cancer and international health. Finally, my doctorate was focused on infectious disease and genomic epidemiology.
How did you enter your career in public health?
During undergraduate studies, I received my Bachelor of Science in biochemistry and a Bachelor of Arts in human and cultural studies. Even then, I was looking for an intersection between lab science, sociology, and population health, but I didn't realize there was a whole field devoted to this type of work.
I read the book "The Ghost Map" by Steven Johnson during my final year of undergrad, and that was my first introduction to public health and epidemiology. From there, my interest grew, and I went on to get my Mater of Public Health. My entry into public health practice came with the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) applied epidemiology fellowship; I pursued this opportunity after being dissatisfied with clinical research and I haven't looked back.
Where do you sit within the Washington State Department of Health (DOH)? Tell us about your team or the primary purpose or work of your group.
I currently lead the Zoonotic and Vector-borne Disease Program. We use a One Health approach to zoonotic and vector-borne disease prevention, surveillance, and control. We monitor trends in the epidemiology of zoonotic and vector-borne diseases, collaborate with One Health partners, and work to prevent disease through public health mitigation efforts and targeted education.
What is your typical day on the job?
There really isn't such a thing as a typical day, which is one reason I really love this job.
Some days may be focused on grant writing or data analysis, but there are always unpredictable elements like disease outbreaks, unusual cases of disease, field investigations, or new One Health problems. I am constantly learning, even after more than a decade in the field.
What previous experiences most helped you with this role?
Having a background in laboratory sciences certainly helps with infectious disease surveillance and collaboration with the Public Health Laboratories. Improving my skills in genomic epidemiology was also important, as genomic data can add valuable information to public health investigations, but it is not standard curriculum in most infectious disease programs.
I have also completed two fellowships with CSTE: the applied epidemiology fellowship and Leading Epidemiologists, Advancing Data (LEAD). These fellowships were invaluable in preparing me for work in public health practice and leadership.
What advice would you give a student pursuing career opportunities in public health? What is something you wish you knew earlier in your career?
I think there are some very distinguishing characteristics of public health research versus public health practice. I always encourage students to get experience in both to understand the differences and where their own interests lie. In addition, exploring multiple fields within public health to understand how they may differ in the day-to-day and finding what fits best with your personal values and interests.
What achievements are you most proud of in your work in public health?
When I started in this position, there was no formal collaboration or data sharing for zoonotic and vector-borne diseases with One Health partners such as the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. I worked to develop relationships with colleagues at these agencies, set up the One Health Collaborative, initiate data sharing, and change the Washington Administrative Code to formalize data sharing between DOH and WSDA. That was a big accomplishment.
The second achievement I am most proud of was starting the Molecular Epidemiology Program during the COVID-19 pandemic and successfully applying for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Pathogen Genomic Center of Excellence grant. Even though I no longer lead that program, that work continues to have major implications for advancing disease surveillance in Washington state, including for zoonotic and vector-borne diseases.
What is something that would surprise people about your day-to-day job?
Our work is very fast-paced and often doesn't leave a lot of time for more complex data analysis or projects. We often collaborate with academic partners to answer important questions that require disease modeling or other more advanced statistical techniques.
Do you see any bright spots or opportunities as you look to the future of public health for the next generation of public health professionals?
Yes. Genomic epidemiology and bioinformatics are definitely opportunities for the next generation of public health professionals to grow their skills, particularly if interested in infectious disease epidemiology. Other data science skills are also becoming more important, and cross-training in informatics is key.
Are there any books, podcasts, or other media that you would recommend for future public health professionals?
I've already mentioned the book that introduced me to epidemiology, "The Ghost Map." Aside from introductory texts, I think it is important for practicing public health professionals to always be expanding their minds in areas of public health that may or may not be their main focus of work but are some of the biggest health risks that populations in the U.S. face — things like understanding the criminal justice system, the history and present state of racism in America, and the present threat of climate change and climate-related health problems.
What do you enjoy about living and working in Washington state?
I was born a Washingtonian and I think I always will be. Our state is an amazing place to live, play, and work. From a work perspective, the diverse ecology in our state makes understanding and tracking zoonotic and vector-borne diseases that much more difficult, which is a challenge I enjoy.