Jerne J Shapiro,

Hear how I pronounce my name

I have over 20 years of experience in public health and focus on applied epidemiology, serving as a fellow in the Florida Epidemic Intelligence Service and later as Director and Lead Epidemiologist for the University of Florida’s COVID-19 control and mitigation response. Additionally, I held the position of County Epidemiologist for Alachua County. Currently, I am a faculty member in the Epidemiology Department at the University of Florida.

My work centers on mentoring and teaching both undergraduate and graduate students about the power and importance of Public Health, with a focus on fostering intrinsic motivation in their learning process. I am currently the MPH in Epidemiology Concentration Coordinator.

Recently taught courses included Epidemiology of Infectious Disease, Public Health Concepts, Principles of Epidemiology, Special Topics on COVID, and Applied Epidemiology.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I supervised up to 40 employees, overseeing the development and analysis of surveillance activities and conducting COVID case investigations. Surveillance activities covered various areas such as wastewater epidemiology, molecular epidemiology, sentinel surveillance, congregate dorm and Greek Housing, and preschool and K-12 research schools. As a volunteer advisor on infectious diseases, I maintain my relationship with the Florida Department of Health in Alachua.

In my early career, I worked with the Florida Department of Health, focusing on outbreak investigations at both the state and county levels. This required conducting epidemiological investigations for significant outbreaks like Viral Meningitis, locally acquired Malaria, Hepatitis A, Salmonella, MRSA, West Nile Virus via blood transfusion, SARS, and Norovirus.

On an instructional track, I do not conduct research or supervise Ph.D. students.