Tell us a bit more about your career journey: How did you come to work on public health policy?

My career was far from linear. I was always passionate about science and math and initially planned to attend medical school. I shifted to focusing on global health after taking a public health and human rights course that exposed me to the intersection of social justice, equity, health, and epidemiology.

I moved to DC, where I first worked at a human rights firm for a few years, before switching to Georgetown University, which led me to focus more on public health policy, biosecurity, and biosurveillance. At Georgetown’s School of Medicine, I joined Project Argus to help identify early indicators of emerging threats, such as biological, chemical, and radiological ones. Being fluent in Arabic and Spanish, I helped translate media and scientific data, providing insights into early signs of potential global disruptions.

After Georgetown, I started working at a biotech company, where my role was to demystify information typically confined to lab discussions or medical conferences, making it accessible to a broader audience. This job involved translating technical details into language understandable by lay audiences, legislators, and individuals interested in medical advancements.

What are some of the current public health or bio-related policy challenges you’re working on?

“We’re vulnerable to novel and emerging pathogens…COVID-19 wasn’t a surprise to many in our field…it was a question of “when”, not “if”.”

Much of my attention currently focuses on novel viruses, especially those emerging from zoonotic spillovers. We’re vulnerable to novel and emerging pathogens, and our (sometimes hostile) interactions with other ecosystems can expose us to diseases to which we have no immunity. COVID-19 wasn’t a surprise to many in our field. We anticipated an event of this magnitude; it was a question of “when”, not “if”. And now, we’re aware that another disease, “Disease X”, likely looms on the horizon.

In addition, I focus on the potential misuse of biological agents. Malicious actors could weaponize naturally occurring or engineered agents, as has occurred in the past. Part of our work in biosecurity is to prevent the weaponization of these agents and mitigate human manipulation risks.

Are there particular solutions to biosecurity challenges that you find promising and are devoting time to support?

At Georgetown, we operated an early detection system for emerging threats—like a weather channel for infectious diseases. When COVID-19 emerged, many people wished for such a system, not always realizing that we already had some robust biosurveillance and forecasting systems in place. However, these systems were systematically defunded by the US government due to their high cost and because their own success made them seem unnecessary. This is a common paradox in public health: effective measures often go unnoticed because they prevent crises, making it difficult to justify their expense.

One area that’s critically lacking is science communication. It’s often treated as an afterthought, yet it’s essential for helping people—both the general public and experts—prepare for health threats. We need to improve public understanding of science and public health to prepare for future challenges, a need that was highlighted by the deluge of (mis)information during COVID-19. Effective risk communication is about educating people, not persuading them, so they can make informed decisions. Without strong science communication, science itself is incomplete, and public health measures cannot reach their full impact.

What does a typical day look like for you?

My work has varied greatly, especially during the pandemic. At the peak of the pandemic, my work was heavily data-focused, analysing US case, testing, hospitalization, and death data. 

Currently, I continue to research health data for my work, while also getting a DrPH (doctorate in public health) at Johns Hopkins, where I’m studying health security. My studies and research involve reading extensively on topics related to trust, misinformation, and the dynamics of “infodemiology”—how information and misinformation spread during an epidemic and its impact on public perception of science and public health.

I’m actively researching trust in science, exploring how public health messages are received and how trust can be rebuilt to create communities resilient to mis- and disinformation. This involves conducting message testing and focus groups to gauge public sentiment and understand the best ways to communicate effectively. I’m especially interested in restoring trust in public health through empathy-based communication and targeted messaging using trusted messengers.

What advice do you have for those interested in a similar career path?

Embrace flexibility. Life’s path is unpredictable, and being open to change can lead to the most fulfilling outcomes. Looking back on my own career, I could never have anticipated where I would end up. The journey has been full of unexpected twists and turns, but these detours have been incredibly enlightening. Being adaptable and resilient, even in the face of rejection, is crucial for growth and success in any professional field.

We cannot separate science communication from biosecurity. The importance of repairing trust and restoring trustworthiness in the scientific community, as well as the overall effort to keep people safe and healthy, highlights the need for a combined approach.

What skills do you think are important for success in biosecurity policy, and how could readers acquire them?

If your interests lie in science or public health, aim to master the skill of science communication—it’s an invaluable asset. Many academic and research institutions only really prepare us to communicate within a narrow, specialized audience. We’re trained to craft sophisticated papers aimed at fellow experts, which is important, but doesn’t always best serve the broader public. 

“aim to master the skill of science communication—it’s an invaluable asset”

Not every piece of technical information needs to be translated for a lay audience, but the ability to convey complex scientific concepts in clear, accessible language is akin to learning a new and important language. Being fluent in this form of communication enhances your ability to make a difference beyond the confines of academia or specialist circles—bridging the gap between technical research and the general public, and informing both policymakers and consumers about crucial developments in medical research. It’s about ensuring that your work in science and public health genuinely benefits the wider community and contributes to the global body of knowledge in a tangible, accessible way.

A related skill that’s incredibly valuable is data visualization, which is an effective way to communicate complex information, such as risk assessments—often more effectively than words alone can. This skill not only involves presenting data but also requires big-picture thinking since it’s also about anticipating and preventing data misinterpretations and logical fallacies. When creating visual assets, it’s crucial to ensure they can stand alone and not be misconstrued; reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic, many misunderstandings stemmed from incorrect interpretations of graphs and charts. 

Are there any programs, resources, or books you’d especially recommend for those interested in public health and biosecurity policy?

I highly recommend the book “How Charts Lie: Getting Smarter about Visual Information“, which teaches people about some of the tactics used to convey and conceal information about the scientific consensus. Understanding this is crucial for creating reliable information assets for public sharing.

Additionally, I’d like to highlight some upcoming work from both myself and the de Beaumont Foundation, which focuses on health and science communication. We’re working on a book that I’m excited to share in the future. The field is constantly evolving and is beginning to receive the attention it deserves, especially in biosecurity.

This is part of a series of career profiles, aiming to make career stories and resources more accessible to people without easy access to mentorship and advice. If you have suggestions for what questions you’d like to see answered in these profiles, please fill out our feedback form.