This series spotlights the amazing students in the YSPH Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases (EMD) program. This month focuses on students who are conducting research on "Climate Change and Infectious Diseases". Here, PhD student Cole Brookson tells us about the program and some of his exciting research in a Q&A format.
Please tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to pursue a Ph.D./MPH in the EMD Department at the Yale School of Public Health?
Cole: I came to epidemiology by way of disease ecology, so much of my research is from the perspective of One Health, which is an area that EMD excels in. EMD is incredibly collaborative, and folks across the department and YSPH have such varied areas of focus. There is so much space to explore your research interests and so many smart people who can advise on different axes. I knew I wanted to work with my current advisor, Dr. Carlson, but since arriving here, it's been a pleasure starting to expand my mentorship network to learn from and work with folks all through EMD and beyond.
What is the current focus of your research?
My research focuses on quantitatively assessing the link between climate change and infectious disease, particularly for vector-borne diseases. My current focus is on developing approaches for understanding and forecasting how climate drivers shape transmission dynamics and epidemic size. I'm also working on developing a more robust theory about how predictable climate-driven infectious disease dynamics are.
What are some of the most significant findings or innovations from your climate change and infectious diseases research?
I’m excited about advancements we’re making in understanding climate change effects in systems with other interventions. With diseases like malaria that have some climate sensitivity, the signal of climate might be dampened through the use of interventions that successfully lower cases. Being able to then detect the true signal of climate is difficult, but we’re making great progress.
Which emerging trends or technologies in climate change and infectious diseases research do you find most exciting?
I am grateful to see more attention being paid to the intersection of health justice and climate justice. Increasing climate change pressures will be most acutely felt by those already at the margins of effective healthcare. Additional research and policymaking on understanding and preventing these exacerbations of health inequities is a positive trend.
Where do you see the field of climate change and infectious diseases research heading in the next few years, and what role do you hope your work will play in this future landscape?
We’re only beginning to measure current effects of climate change on infectious disease. The next step will be to accurately forecast those effects. I hope my research can help provide part of the baseline for all of the essential system- and location-specific predictions we’ll need to be making over the next few decades.
How has the EMD Department supported your research and academic goals?
EMD offers a large amount of flexibility in training opportunities through its coursework policies and research rotations. The department is incredibly supportive administratively, broadly supportive in its mentorship, and open to students seeking training opportunities outside EMD and YSPH.
What advice would you give to prospective students considering applying to the EMD training programs at Yale?
EMD is a competitive but supportive environment. Plan on cultivating a mentorship network that goes beyond not just your advisor, but also beyond EMD, and perhaps even YSPH. The more folks in your corner who can help you with small components of your research, the better off you’ll be!