Hello! I’m Madeline Albert, and I graduated in 2022 with a BS in Global Disease Biology. My academic journey at UC Davis began with a strong interest in science, particularly in human health and medicine. Initially, I started as a general Biological Sciences major, but everything changed when I took the course SAS 13: Disease and Society with Dr. Sara Dye. This course introduced me to the GDB major and ignited my passion for public health and infectious diseases. I was particularly drawn to its focus on One Health and the emphasis on undergraduate research. I transferred to the GDB major at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic during my second year, which allowed me to witness firsthand the concepts I learned in SAS 13 in real time. Seeing the profound impact of COVID-19 on society inspired me to work in a field that addresses the challenges and vulnerabilities highlighted by the pandemic within our public health system and emergency response. My upper-division courses in microbiology, epidemiology, virology, and disease ecology further deepened my understanding of infectious diseases and public health. Once I returned to campus in my third year, I sought opportunities to engage more deeply in public health and research. I became an Aggie Public Health Ambassador, helping to safeguard the Davis community by implementing new public health safety protocols during the pandemic. Additionally, I joined Dr. David Adler Gold’s lab, where I conducted independent research on how environmental and nutrient conditions affect tissue regeneration in the jellyfish species Aurelia aurita. This research experience played a pivotal role in finding my career passion, as I found a deep appreciation for laboratory work and exploring the nitty-gritty of how every living thing and process functions. Dr. Gold’s lab provided me with the foundational skills for performing independent research and delving into scientific inquiry. The GDB practicum challenged me to reach my full potential and provided invaluable experiences.

After graduation, I aimed to find a career that combines public health, infectious diseases, and laboratory science. Now, nearly two years later, I am grateful to have completed extensive training in Public Health Microbiology and obtained my license as a Public Health Microbiologist (PHM). I currently work at the California Department of Public Health as an assistant trainer for the Public Health Microbiology Training Program and support the Respiratory and Gastrointestinal Diseases Section (RGDS) of the Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Laboratory. With cases of avian influenza H5N1 on the rise, my work with the RGDS laboratory involves influenza typing and subtyping to monitor influenza cases in California and provide testing data for circulating influenza strains to support vaccine development. Previously, I contributed to the surveillance of the emerging antimicrobial-resistant healthcare-associated infection, Candida auris, in the Mycotic, Mycobacterial, and Parasitic Diseases Section of the Microbial Diseases Laboratory.

Public health microbiology allows me to merge my love for laboratory science with my commitment to public health and the prevention of infectious diseases. I have the GDB program to thank for pushing me to get to where I am now. The dedicated professors in my GDB courses and restricted electives opened my eyes to One Health and the interconnection between humans, animals, and plants. This education has underscored the importance of epidemiology and public health efforts in fostering a healthy global population. Each day, I am excited to apply the foundational knowledge I gained during my undergraduate years in my role as a Public Health Microbiologist, where I work to identify, monitor, and develop strategies to prevent diseases within California's population. Each step along the way has shaped my career, and I’m incredibly grateful to the GDB major for pushing me forward and continuing to inspire me.