Career Paths
Epidemiology PhD

Graduates of the University of Florida’s Ph.D. in Epidemiology program excel as leaders in academia, research institutions, government agencies, and the private sector. Equipped with advanced analytical skills and a deep understanding of disease patterns and public health, our alumni drive groundbreaking research, shape public health policies, and address critical health challenges globally. Their contributions to improving population health and advancing epidemiological knowledge leave a lasting impact on communities and the field of public health.

Epidemiology Alumni Spotlight

Ph.D. – Fall '13

Dr. Brad Cannell

Dr. Brad Cannell serves as Professor and Associate Dean for Research at Texas Christian University’s Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences. Dr. Cannell shared that one of the most valuable experiences from the program has been “getting exposure to the entire breadth of activities involved in completing grant-funded research.”

"Always have a plan, yet stay open to changes in it."

Dr. Akemi Wijayabahu: Ph.D. – Summer ’21

Dr. Akemi T. Wijayabahu serves as a Research Fellow in the Trans-Divisional Research Program, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, at the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health. Dr. Wijayabahu shared, “The most valuable aspect of the program was how well-rounded the training was. We had the flexibility to take courses in other departments, pursue internships, and collaborate with people from a wide range of disciplines. Those experiences exposed me to different ways of thinking and problem-solving, which has been incredibly important in my career. They helped me become a more versatile researcher and continue to shape how I approach scientific questions. Another aspect of the program that had a lasting impact on me was the faculty’s commitment to improving people’s lives through research. The faculty were not only dedicated to advancing science but also to ensuring that their work had meaningful, practical benefits for communities. From our founding chair, Dr. Cottler, and her remarkable work with HealthStreet, to Dr. Cook’s leadership with SHARC, we saw firsthand how research can be brought directly to the people it is intended to serve. They demonstrated the importance of community-engaged research.”

Ph.d. – sUMMER '11

Dr. Jennifer Gonzalez

Dr. Jennifer Gonzalez serves as Senior Vice President of Population Health at Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute and shared that “the intensive, applied training in coding and applied epidemiology to real-world problems has been tremendously helpful throughout my career. Just learning to think through problems like an epidemiologist is critically important.”

"Take advantage of all the 1:1 facetime you can get with your advisors!"

Dr. Melvin Livingston: Ph.D. – Summer ’13

Dr. Melvin Douglas Livingston serves as a Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Social Work. Dr. Livingston shared that “experimental and quasi-experimental design, power simulations” have been among the most valuable skills from the program throughout his career. Dr. Livingston recommends current Ph.D. students “lean into as much math as possible.”

ph.d. – fALL '14

Dr. Chris Delcher

Dr. Chris Delcher serves as an Associate Professor at the University of Kentucky. Reflecting on his experience in the program, Dr. Delcher shared that one of the most valuable skills he gained was “learning to push through with good ideas in the face of adversity and doubt.”

"Find a passion project and turn it into a career."

Dr. Mark Britton: Ph.D. – Summer ’25

Dr. Mark Britton serves as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Yale University. Reflecting on his time in the department, Dr. Britton shared that “most of my favorite memories from my PhD are from departmental seminars: presenting my own work to an engaged audience and getting incisive, thoughtful questions from faculty; listening to the lively debate in the Q&A after provocative talks; and keeping a finger on the pulse of the broader field outside the department. I also look back really fondly on the first-year journal club, which really shaped how I engage with papers as an author and as a reviewer, and on the methods courses.”  He also shared that “Nothing replaces firm grounding in causal inference and rigorous training in methodology (biostatistics, common biases in observational data, best practices for clinical trial design and analysis, and how to think like an epidemiologist). The type of data I’m working with may change from project to project, but the same principles apply across the board: always consider the causal pathways! I’ve also found my experiences with community engagement through SHARC invaluable. On a smaller scale, I’ve tried to replicate similar outreach efforts in my current research program, both to build trust with the community and to disseminate research findings to the public.” Dr. Britton’s advice to current PhD students is, “nothing–no large language model, R package, or collaborator–can replace a really solid understanding of bias, biostatistics, and causal inference. Your PhD is an irreplaceable opportunity to develop deep methodological expertise. Make the most of it!”

ph.d. – fALL '16

Dr. Amal Wanigatunga

Dr. Amal Wanigatunga serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Wanigatunga shared that “the experience of coupling my epi training with research with the then Department of Aging was really valuable. I really enjoyed applying epidemiologic approaches to real-world context with regard to the health and well-being of older adult populations.”

"Attend as many seminars and talks as you can, especially the ones outside of your field of interest. They all can inform your own research in some way and help accelerate your growth during your training."

ph.d. – SPRING '15

Dr. Taj Azarian

Dr. Taj Azarian serves as an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Central Florida. Reflecting on his time in the department, Dr. Azarian shared that his favorite memory was “all of the amazing faculty, staff, and graduate students at the Epi Department and Emerging Pathogens Institute.” He also shared that “the ability to network” has been one of the most valuable skills from the program throughout his career.

"If you are going into academia, consider diverse sources of funding for your research."

Ph.d. – sUMMER '24

Dr. Christina Parisi

Dr. Christina Parisi serves as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania. Reflecting on her time in the department, Dr. Parisi shared that her favorite memory was “the people! I loved my cohort, mentors, and all the wonderful people in and out of the department that I worked closely with during my time at UF.” She shared that data skills have been among the most valuable experiences from the program, noting, “I use R and SAS daily, and being able to run analyses, interpret results, and translate the findings is central to my job. Equally important are the communication and presentation skills I developed through presenting at conferences as a student. Those experiences taught me how to tailor data presentations for different audiences, both academic researchers and community partners!”

Dr. Parisi’s advice to current PhD students is, “You can do it! Everyone, at some point during their PhD, reaches a point where they doubt themselves and wonder if they can keep going. Just know that you would not have gotten to this point if you didn’t have what it takes to finish. Keep pushing onward! And the best way to get through challenging times is to reach out to your community. Build strong connections with your mentors and fellow students, and don’t be afraid to reach out for support when you need it.”

ENTREPRENEURSHIP, INNOVATION AND THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

Nathan Smith, Ph.D. (PhD epidemiology ’21)

Nathan D. L. Smith is the founding executive director of Kindbridge Research Institute, a nationally recognized scientist and science communicator, and a leader in the field of behavioral addiction research and theory. His work reflects a belief in the power of simple, direct methodological approaches to understand complicated human phenomena, and an unwavering focus on producing practical solutions to real-world problems…

Inyoung Jun, Ph.D.

Senior Biostatistician, Edwards Lifesciences

During my PhD, I published 13 publications, with 9 as the first author. I was honored with several prestigious scholarships and fellowships, including the UF Informatics Institute Fellowship, KSEA-KUSCO Scholarship, KASF SRC Scholarship, MOGAM-KASBP Scholarship, and the AMIA LEAD Fund trainee scholarship. As president of the Korean Student Association (KSA), I led over 140 students and our organization received the UF Gator Connect Award in April 2021. All these experiences have honed my skills as a biostatistician, equipping me with in-depth statistical expertise, strong communication abilities, and a collaborative mindset essential for the medical industry.

FALL 2023 PHD GRADUATE

“My journey in the Department of Epidemiology has profoundly shaped my career and personal growth. As an international student embarking on my PhD in the U.S., I sought a program that would offer rigorous training and diverse experiences to build a strong foundation in epidemiology.

The mentorship and collaboration I received were invaluable. I had the privilege of working with brilliant minds, leading and contributing to numerous scientific publications. Presenting my research at international conferences not only enriched my knowledge but also expanded my global network.

The hands-on experience I gained through three internships was equally transformative. But perhaps most impactful was my involvement in the COVID-19 response. Volunteering from the UF football stadium to the remote Cedar Key Island, I witnessed firsthand how epidemiology can touch lives and make a difference. These experiences instilled in me a deep sense of purpose and pride in my work.

Reflecting on my time in the Department of Epidemiology, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunities and relationships that have shaped who I am today. This journey has been more than just an academic pursuit; it has been a life-changing experience.”