Experience, Education, and Commendations

Work Experience

Genomic Epidemiologist
Minnesota Department of Health (2023 - present)
North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (2022 - 2023)

• Advanced molecular surveillance  of infectious diseases through co-analysis of genomic, metagenomic, wastewater, and epidemiological data

• Leadership in regional and national organizations for pathogen genomics, antimicrobial resistance, and epidemic preparedness

• Training and development of public health professionals working at the interface of bioinformatics and epidemiology

Environmental Science Officer
United States Army Reserve (2023 - present)
Pennsylvania Army National Guard (2020 -2023)

• Peer education, investigation, and planning in environmental health and disease prevention to protect the health of the fighting force

• Guidance for method development and policymaking to integrate molecular biology techniques into strategic biosurveillance

Epidemiologist and Scientific Writer
Dascena, Inc. (2021 - 2022)
Allegheny County Health Department (2020 - 2021)

• Surveillance and outbreak response for COVID-19 and healthcare-associated bacterial pathogens in nursing homes, hospitals, and homeless shelters

• Technical writing of white papers and manuscripts on strategies to prevent the onset and transmission of infectious diseases

Laboratory Scientist
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

• Whole-genome sequencing and bioinformatic analysis of healthcare-associated bacterial infections

• Construction of a bacteriophage library for last-line antimicrobial therapy for drug-resistant pathogens

Supplemental Experience

Infectious Disease Professional
BioRisk Reduction, Inc.

• Part-time, pro bono consulting and training in biosecurity and laboratory safety

Operations Lead
EpiCenter Genomics, LLC

• Part-time consulting on the use of pathogen genomics to strengthen infectious disease surveillance

Civilian Education

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) – Epidemiology  (in progress)
University of Nebraska Medical Center

• Practicum #1: A Standardized Concept of Operations for Wastewater Genomic Surveillance of Microbial Pathogens in the Department of Defense

• Practicum #2: Strategies for Actionable Molecular Biosurveillance in Military Force Health Protection

• Part-time coursework and integrated learning experiences while maintaining full-time employment in public health

Master of Science (M.S.) – Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health

• Thesis: Genomic epidemiology of horizontal plasmid transfer among healthcare-associated bacterial pathogens in a tertiary hospital

• Distinguished Honor Graduate for the Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology

• Part-time coursework and research completed during full-time employment in laboratory science and epidemiology

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) – Biological Sciences
Carnegie Mellon University

• Graduated with honors from the university, the Mellon College of Science, and the Department of Biological Sciences

• Completed part-time undergraduate research studies at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Carnegie Mellon University

Military Education

Medical Management of Biological Casualties Course
US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (distance learning) 

Army Public Health Course
Army Public Health Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Field Medical Assistant and MEDEVAC Track Phase Course
US Army Medical Center of Excellence, Fort Sam Houston, TX 

Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Basic Officer Leadership Course
US Army Medical Center of Excellence, Fort Sam Houston, TX 

• Commandant's List (ranked in the top 8% of class graduates)

Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Direct Commission Course
Fires Center of Excellence, Fort Sill, OK

Civilian Awards and Accolades

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Scholarship

• University of Nebraska Medical Center

Team Member of the Month

• BioRisk Reduction, Inc.

CIC® In the Spotlight

• Certification Board in Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC)

Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health

• University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health

Distinguished Honor Graduate

• Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health

Second Place, Student Research Symposium Poster Competition

• University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health

University Honors

• Carnegie Mellon University

College Honors

• Mellon College of Science, Carnegie Mellon University

Certificate of Outstanding Academic Achievement

• Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University

First Place, Graduate Student Poster Competition

• Sigma Xi Scientific Research Symposium

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Prize for Outstanding Undergraduate Research

• Carnegie Mellon University

Military Awards and Accolades

Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM)

• For outstanding achievement in support of global biosurveillance lines of effort

Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (MOVSM)

• For direct, sustained, and impactful volunteer service in the community while serving in the military

Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (ARCAM)
second award

• Completion of 3 years of honorable service as an Army reservist 

Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (ARCAM)
first award

• Completion of 3 years of honorable service as an Army reservist

Army Achievement Medal (AAM)
second award

• For excellence in COVID-19 outbreak response during a training exercise at Camp Dodge, Iowa

Army Service Ribbon (ASR)

Commandant's List, Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC)

• Graduated within the top 8% of the class

Army Achievement Medal (AAM)
first award

• For excellence in service during the civil disturbance response operation in the Washington, DC area in January-February 2021

Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM)

Presidential Inauguration Support Ribbon (PISR)

District of Columbia National Guard Emergency Service Ribbon

National Defense Service Medal (NDSM)