Epidemiologist

As an epidemiologist, you are a “disease detective.” You investigate the cause of disease by using social demographics, with the aim of controlling the spread of disease. For example, you’d investigate an epidemic such as Ebola and help control the disease from spreading. Much of your work is doing experiments and fieldwork to collect data. You analyze results to make predictions about the likelihood of a disease occurring and to recommend prevention strategies. You will plan and conduct studies, collect and interpret data, write journal articles and develop disease control and prevention programs. Your research allows other health care professionals to offer advice on how to prevent disease. Many epidemiologists specialize in a particular field such as cancer, asthma or diabetes. Various health care providers, such as physicians or nurses, often branch into epidemiology.