After spending two years in the Peace Corps working with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Smallpox Eradication program, I attended graduate school here at UCLA where I received my doctoral degree in Epidemiology with a minor in Health Services. In my current position for the Los Angeles Department of Public Health (DPH) I oversee the Web  Informatics Division (http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/ ). My interests in this area includes development of policies governing the use of health data and information on the web.  In a previous appointment at DPH I was Chief Epidemiologist for the Department where I coordinated  epidemiological studies and activities.  During my career at DPH  I have held a variety of  positions, including Disease Control Epidemiologist, Environmental Epidemiologist, Assistant Chief of Data Collection and Analysis, and Immunization Program Director.  Recently I have been involved in developing the Bioterrorism preparedness and Pandemic Flu Plans for Los Angeles.

I have worked as a consultant in the field of epidemiology and Information Systems, both within the United States and internationally. My specialty is in the conversion of legacy information systems, and in developing surveillance and data analysis programs. For the WHO I have consulted in over 30 countries.  The objectives of these consultancies have varied and included; writing field-guides and training materials, conducting seminars, program evaluations, developing and setting up surveillance systems, writing strategic plans, and participating in Technical Advisory Group meetings.  Five diseases have received my principal focus of attention during this time; smallpox, polio, measles, rubella, and neonatal tetanus.  After 9/11 I  consulted with other local health departments on training issues and in developing a bioterrorism plan for their County, and have given a number of lectures on surveillance for the Ministry of Health, China.
 

For over 25 years I have taught at UCLA in the Epidemiology Department where I currently hold the rank of adjunct professor.  I teach classes at the USC Public Health program at the Keck School of Medicine, in addition, I teach courses via the Internet for TUI University. My courses aim to provide both majors and non-majors with practical knowledge related to epidemiological measures and practice at local, state, federal, and international levels.  More recently some of my classes have included techniques in developing surveillance and Information systems on the Web as well as on bioterrorism preparedness. 

I have a number of research interests both related to vaccine preventable diseases, informatics, and bioterrorism which have resulted in over 50 publications.