Nathan Grubaugh: Virus investigator, new father, sci-fi buff
The Yale School of Public Health proudly welcomes a large number of new tenure track faculty joining us this academic year. These individuals have widely varied interests and excel in research, scholarship, innovation and teaching. They complement and expand the expertise already available at the School of Public Health and will be instrumental in addressing many of the health challenges of the 21st century.
Today we spotlight Nathan Grubaugh, assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases. Nathan is also affiliated with the Yale Institute for Global Health. He holds a Ph.D. in microbiology, immunology & pathology from Colorado State University (2016), an M.S. in biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University (2011) and a B.S. in biomedical sciences from Western Michigan University (2005).
Q: Describe your primary academic focus or research specialty?
NG: My research focus is the emergence of mosquito-borne viruses, such as Zika, chikungunya, and West Nile viruses. With globalization, urbanization, and climate change, these viruses are on the rise and are rapidly spreading around the world. My lab investigates outbreaks to determine where the viruses came from and how they are being transmitted - mainly by sequencing the virus’ genome (genomic epidemiology). We then use this sequencing data to study how specific virus mutations may alter transmission and disease. Finally, by incorporating experimental and epidemiological data, my lab aims to forecast how viruses may spread and evolve during future epidemics to develop precise control methods.
I spent the last two years studying the Zika epidemic by investigating outbreaks in Florida and the Caribbean, developing new techniques to sequence the virus, characterizing the factors that promote spread, and testing novel therapeutics. This experience will hopefully allow us to better respond to future epidemics.
Q: What are your long-term goals in public health?
NG: The recent Zika epidemic exposed many faults in our surveillance and response systems. For example, by the time that we detected Zika virus in Brazil, it had already spread to dozens of other countries. Closing this gap between when an outbreak starts and when it is detected is, in my opinion, one of the greatest challenges in public health. I believe that we already have the tools to improve our surveillance systems; however, most of the technology exists within academic institutions, like Yale, and not in the hands of those in need, like public health labs.
Therefore, it is my primary objective to develop collaborations with public health labs around the world. In this way we can learn from those on the front lines what is needed to improve surveillance and response, introduce new technology, and develop training programs. My goal is to provide public health labs with the tools to detect and monitor outbreaks in real-time.
Q: How will the resources available at the Yale School of Public Health help you achieve your goals?
NG: The resources at the Yale School of Public Health are incredible, and it starts with the diverse faculty. The school has a global presence, and through its networks, the capability to respond to public health crises in almost any country. It is a privilege to work directly with experts in every disease category and learn from their years of institutional knowledge, which will undoubtedly allow me to grow into a more well-rounded researcher. I also have access to world-class facilities, including containment insectories to infect mosquitoes with viruses, a state-of-the art genomics core, and high-powered computing. The depth and breadth of resources at the Yale School of Public Health remove the limit on what can be achieved.
Q: Tell us something about yourself away from public health (E.g., hobbies, interests, pursuits, etc.).
NG: My wife Vicki, three-year-old daughter Sophie, and I arrived in New Haven from San Diego in June 2018, just in time for our son Philip to be born in August. We recently bought a home in East Rock, and in between entertaining a parade of family and friends, have enjoyed sampling local food, breweries, parks, and festivals. We have lived on the East Coast before - my wife and I met in D.C. - but my first trip to New England was during my first interview.
Thus, we are excited to explore new cities, discover places to camp and hike, and learn about the area’s rich history. And during happy hour, I am always willing chat about sci-fi movies that I no longer have time to watch and debate whether it is better to pull a frontside or backside guard when running power.