Member Insight – Britton Trabert

What sparked your decision to become an epidemiologist?
I first learned about epidemiology in an undergraduate biology course called ‘Insects and our Health’ when the instructor brought in a former EIS officer to talk about outbreak investigation. From the description, I thought it was the perfect mix of biology, math, and medicine and was convinced that I needed to move to Atlanta and prepare for a future career at the CDC.

What do you see as the biggest obstacle facing epidemiologists in the next five years?
I never thought I would be saying this, but now that medical research has been made into a matter of political ideology and a form of political allegiance, I think we are going to encounter many obstacles in the near term. The importance of science communication and messaging cannot be underscored.

Do you have any pets?
Yes – two 5-year old Labrador Retrievers, Grant and Sherman. They keep me active and are the best office mates. If you can’t tell from my photo, I take being a dog mom seriously and with a great sense of humor.

Why did you join SER? What keeps you coming back?
I was introduced to SER (and SPER) by a mentor when I was a master’s student and have been attending ever since. The sense of community, the people, and the science all keep me coming back every year as well as recommending the meeting/society to colleagues and trainees.

What advice do you give students who want to become epidemiologists?
I emphasize the importance of developing a strong foundational knowledge of epidemiologic methods. I also emphasize the importance of mentorship and the importance of identifying individuals to provide different aspects of mentorship; it is unlikely that one mentor will be able to provide everything they need.

Outside of epidemiology what do you enjoy doing?
I am an aspiring outdoor enthusiast, I enjoy hiking and snow-shoeing. I also enjoy traveling, eating, and listening to live music.

What is something that not many people know about you?
That I grew up in rural Iowa and spent many summers on my grandparent’s farm. My maternal grandparents migrated from Germany when my mom was 4 years old. Needless to say I was a first-generation college student and most of my extended family has no comprehension of why I went to school ‘for so long’ or what I really do at work.