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 Health Services (DHS) I oversee the Web  Informatics for the Department of Public Health  (http://www.lapublichealth.org/ ). 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 DHS I was Chief Epidemiologist for the Department where I coordinated  epidemiological studies and activities.  During my career at DHS  I have held a variety of other positions, including Disease Control Epidemiologist, Environmental Epidemiologist, Assistant Chief of Data Collection and Analysis (vital records), and Immunization Program Director.  Recently I have been involved in developing the Bioterrorism, and Pandemic Flu Plans for Los Angeles.

Outside of DHS I have worked as a consultant in the field of epidemiology and Information Systems for over 27 years, 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  worked with the Washoe County Health Department (Nevada) on training issues and in developing a bioterrorism plan for their County .

For over 20 years I have taught here at UCLA in the Epidemiology Department where I currently hold the rank of adjunct professor.  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.  I have a number of research interests both related to vaccine preventable diseases, informatics, and bioterrorism which have resulted in over 50 publications.