Dr. Karen Shaprio is an associate professor with the Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology in the UC Davis school of Veterinary Medicine. Her research interests include transport and fate of zoonotic pathogens in watershed and coastal ecosystems.
Hello :) I am a newly licensed and certified genetic counselor working in the cardiovascular department at Stanford. I graduated from the GDB major in the spring of 2020 and from UC Irvine’s genetic counseling program in the fall of 2022. While at UC Davis, I was initially a pharmaceutical chemistry major until I took GDB 90 and was immediately captivated by rare, infectious, and inherited diseases. I spent the next few years in Global Disease Biology pursuing classes with a genetic emphasis, which undoubtedly helped me with those critical experimental years of professional self-discovery.
Hi, my name is Muiez Bashir. I am a fourth-year Global Disease Biology Major. I chose this major after learning about it in my second year when I heard that it had a practicum project. What I like about the major is the emphasis on the one health concept and the direct application of the skills and education that GDB students learn, allowing them to engage in on-campus research and apply their learning in practical settings in the form of their practicum. After graduating, I plan on applying to medical school and becoming a physician one day.
In our Practicum Pods series, current GDB students are interviewed by GDB Peer Advisors in a conversation that delves into their practicum projects! We highly encourage all of our students to tune in to Practicum Pods to learn about different types of research, mentorship, and project specifics!
Hi, my name is Nikhita and I am a fourth-year Global Disease Biology major. My academic journey within the GDB major has been an enriching exploration of the field of public health, providing me with a strong foundation in understanding health disparities and their broader implications. Delving into rigorous coursework and collaborative research projects has honed my analytical skills and instilled in me a deep-seated curiosity about the connection between biological and developmental factors.
Hello everyone! I’m Austin Tarumoto (they/them). I graduated with a Global Disease Biology major and a Community Development minor in Spring of 2020. I was first interested in the major because of how interdisciplinary it was and how it allowed me to explore my interest in the intersection of advocacy, social justice, and public health. While at Davis, I was a tutor, a peer educator at the Cross Cultural Center, and the Identity Development Coordinator with BRIDGE: Pilipinx Outreach and Retention at the Student Recruitment and Retention Center.
In our Practicum Pods series, current GDB students are interviewed by GDB Peer Advisors in a conversation that delves into their practicum projects! We highly encourage all of our students to tune in to Practicum Pods to learn about different types of research, mentorship, and project specifics!
Kazim Rizvi is a 4th year GDB student currently conducting their practicum project on "Circadian Rhythms of Drosophila melanogaster" Learn about Kazim's research experience in the GDB Office's February Practicum Pod!
Dr. Douglas Cook is a professor in Plant Pathology, and is he also Director of Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Climate Resilient Chickpea. Dr. Cook's studies focus on chickpeas' and nitrogen fixing.
Alejandro is a fourth-year first-generation student double majoring in Global Disease Biology (GDB) and Psychology with a minor in Chicano/a Studies. Alejandro’s interest in medicine and public health led him to join Clinica Tepati, a UC Davis student-run primary care clinic that addresses the healthcare gap in the Latino community of the greater Sacramento area. Clinica Tepati’s three-part mission; healthcare, education, and advocacy resonates with Alejandro’s aspiration of becoming a physician to address the health disparities in his community.
Hello everyone! I’m Crystal Ngo Diaz (she/her) and I’m a very proud GDB alumna! I completed my degree in three years in spring 2022 and am an incoming physician assistant student at Point Loma Nazarene University! Reflecting on my time at UC Davis, I am incredibly grateful to my high school self who chose GDB. The major provided me with the flexibility to explore diverse pathways in the sciences and ultimately led me to the pre-PA route. Most importantly, the GDB community has been an invaluable part of my journey.
In our Practicum Pods series, current GDB students are interviewed by GDB Peer Advisors in a conversation that delves into their practicum projects! We highly encourage all of our students to tune in to Practicum Pods to learn about different types of research, mentorship, and project specifics!
My name is Meaghan Woody and I graduated with the GDB major in Fall 2018 after transferring from Santa Rosa Junior College. Currently, I am a first-year PhD student in Community Health Sciences at the Fielding School of Public Health at UCLA. My pathway to PhD was not linear and I am so glad GDB exposed me to many diverse fields of research. The unique and multidisciplinary curriculum of GDB allowed me to connect with people from plant pathology and public health, which grew my network of mentors, colleagues, and friends.
Hi, I’m Davis and I am a fourth-year Global Disease Biology student. The GDB curriculum has given me the tools and experience necessary to become successful in the fields of public health and health sciences. The wide range of course topics has exposed me to new ways of thinking while diving deeper into topics I already have had an interest in. Studying disease from a One Health perspective has allowed me to analyze and critically think about health issues from different angles.
In our Practicum Pods series, current GDB students are interviewed by GDB Peer Advisors in a conversation that delves into their practicum projects! We highly encourage all of our students to tune in to Practicum Pods to learn about different types of research, mentorship, and project specifics!
Mrinal Prabhakar is currently working on her GDB Practicum Project in the Yiu Lab. She is still working on the title of her project. Learn about Mrinal’s research experience in Episode 19 of the GDB Office's Practicum Pod!
My name is Emmet, and I am so glad I decided to major in Global Disease Biology at UC Davis! When I first started my undergraduate degree, I thought I wanted to go to medical school. I did not know what other career options I could pursue with my interest in infectious diseases. Thanks to the GDB major, I was able to explore many different career options with some amazing faculty. The GDB practicum in particular helped me join a lab and get hands on research experience, which is how I fell in love with parasitology!
