I am a graduate student in a program called ‘Global Infectious Disease,’ but what does that really mean? Some of my colleagues work in wet labs studying the pathogenesis and host immune response to human disease causing viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Others, like me, study the epidemiology and public health implications of different diseases through statistical and population-based approaches. All of us have an interest in interdisciplinary applications of our research.
Right now, I’m interested in examining the disease dynamics of influenza, a common and seasonal disease with far-reaching consequences. While I enjoy delving into the data, I don’t want to lose sight of the bigger picture — that is, the reason I care about infectious diseases in the first place. I want to inform public health and policy decision makers about the important infectious disease issues. I want to develop expertise in both mathematical biology for my research and science communication for the public. I want to be a filter that distinguishes scientific fact from hearsay, that can explain not only ‘what’, but ‘why’ and ‘how’ when it’s needed.
This blog is a first step. I want this blog to become a space for open discussion on news and issues related to infectious diseases and the use of quantitative methods in disease ecology. Along the way, I hope to use this as a means to develop and refine my scientific and non-scientific writing voice.
Join me on this journey!
Elizabeth C. Lee 