My Mission

Protecting the world from the next infectious threat

My mission is to help the world prepare for whatever comes next: new infectious diseases, global pandemics, and biological threats that can disrupt societies. As a Senior Scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, I focus on making sure our hospitals, governments, and communities are ready for health emergencies. That means understanding how outbreaks spread, how to stop them, and how to protect people when things go wrong.

Whether I’m working on national guidelines for handling diseases like plague and anthrax, helping cities design better emergency systems, or advising major organizations during crises, my goal is always the same: use science, medicine, and clear communication to keep people safe.

My Path

From industrial management to systemic preparedness

Growing up in Butler, Pennsylvania, I was fascinated by how things work—especially when it came to science and medicine. I studied industrial management at Carnegie Mellon University, then earned my MD from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. From there, I trained in both internal medicine and emergency medicine during my residency at Allegheny General Hospital, where I later served as chief resident and joined the infection control committee.

My interests kept pulling me deeper into infectious diseases and critical care. I completed two fellowships at the University of Pittsburgh, eventually becoming chief infectious disease fellow. I went on to teach as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and now serve as an adjunct assistant professor there and at Carnegie Mellon University.

Along the way, I’ve practiced medicine on the front lines—caring for patients with infectious diseases, responding to emergencies in critical care units, and serving as part of the U.S. National Disaster Medical System, including deployment to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake.

My work in biosecurity and pandemic preparedness has led me to serve on U.S. government panels for infectious disease emergencies; advise organizations ranging from FEMA to New York City’s Highly Infectious Disease Training Program; and contribute to national guidelines for handling major biological threats. I’ve also worked with the NCAA, businesses, schools, and even the International Monetary Fund during the COVID-19 pandemic.

I serve as an Associate Editor of Health Security, co-edited Global Catastrophic Biological Risks, and have contributed to medical references used around the world. My research has appeared in leading journals, and my expertise is often sought by international media.

Today, I continue practicing infectious disease, emergency medicine, and critical care in Pittsburgh, while serving on the city’s HIV Commission and the advisory group for AIDS Free Pittsburgh. Across everything I do—patient care, research, writing, and policy—my goal is to help build a world that’s prepared, resilient, and ready for whatever the future brings.