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 Hailey Robertson tells us about the program and some of her exciting research in a Q&A format.
Please tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to pursue a Ph.D. in the EMD Department at the Yale School of Public Health?
Hailey: I am a first-year PhD student in EMD, working in Dr. Nate Grubaugh and Dr. Colin Carlson’s labs. My interest in infectious disease modeling began during my undergraduate studies when I explored the environmental drivers of shigellosis in rural contexts. My career then expanded to include outbreak forecasting during the COVID-19 pandemic where I developed skills in data engineering and contributed to policy interventions. I chose Yale for my PhD because I couldn’t imagine a better place to continue this type of work – between EMD and the Public Health Modeling Unit, there’s such breadth and depth of expertise. The collaborative environment is the perfect setting to bridge public health, ecology, and policy.
What is the current focus of your research?
My current research focuses on how environmental changes impact the persistence and expansion of vector-borne viruses like dengue. I often use computational tools, including machine learning and mathematical models, to analyze interactions between hosts, pathogens, and vectors across gradients of urbanization, climate, and socioeconomic factors.
What are some of the most significant findings or innovations from your climate change and infectious diseases research?
While I’m early in my PhD, my current project focuses on identifying the “minimum requirements” that drive the transition of dengue from sporadic outbreaks to constant presence in a region. Understanding this combination of environmental, demographic, and socioeconomic factors is important for predicting which locales are at risk of becoming endemic for dengue under future climate and population scenarios.
Which emerging trends or technologies in climate change and infectious diseases research do you find most exciting?
I’m excited by the potential to integrate phylodynamics with climate and infectious disease research. This approach helps explain the spatial and temporal dynamics of pathogens and may help us better understand how climate change influences pathogen evolution and spread and to predict future disease patterns under changing environmental conditions.
Where do you see the field of climate change and infectious disease research heading in the next few years, and what role do you hope your work will play in this future landscape?
This is a relatively new area of research – I am excited to see the expanding body of evidence that supports the linkages between climate, health, biodiversity and their impacts on vulnerable populations. I hope that my work will serve as a model for open science that can support the growth of the field and ensure researchers and policymakers globally have the evidence and tools they need to address these interconnected challenges.
How has the EMD Department supported your research and academic goals?
From the moment I joined the department, I felt welcomed into the community. This warmth has made it so much easier to approach people with questions and ideas. I’ve also felt supported in pursuing my interdisciplinary interests – I’ve been able to take courses across Yale (computer science, ecology) to gain relevant skills for my research and make new connections!
What advice would you give to prospective students considering applying to the EMD training programs at Yale?
If you’re at all interested – reach out to a few faculty members and students, and apply! Don’t let imposter syndrome hold you back. There’s no one “perfect” background, and the diversity of experiences is part of what makes the department so wonderful.