Speaker: Natosha Zanders, MS - CDC State Engagement Lead/Advanced Molecular Detection Laboratory Advisor

Title: Many Roads; One Destination...Public Health! [Video of the talk available below.]

Natosha began her career at CDC in 2010 as an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education Fellow (ORISE) in the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD). She has served as a Biologist for over 12 years in the Influenza Division in the Molecular, Virology and Vaccines Branch (MVVB) and the Virology, Surveillance, and Diagnosis Branch (VSDB) in the Zoonotic Virus Team. Her research included zoonotic influenza viruses and its effects on the human population and the environment utilizing project design, data interpretation and global data analysis. Her work has made contributions for the annual Influenza Vaccines recommendations for the World Health Organization (WHO) Vaccine Consultation for the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. She served on a detail for the Strain Surveillance Team for the COVID-19 response within the Vaccine Preparedness Team. Natosha Zanders is a graduate of Fort Valley State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and further received a Master's in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences with a concentration in Molecular Biology from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University. She continues each year to give back to her community through education by motivating grade students to pursue careers in the sciences. She is a wife, proud mom of her son and an advocate of public health both domestically and internationally.

Learning Objectives:

1: What is Advance Molecular Detection (AMD) and how does it fit into many public health disciplines?

2: There are many avenues to public health, your road is unique to you.

3: Customize your career goals to avoid getting stuck and traveling down dead-end streets!