Amanda Black (epidemiologist)

American epidemiologist

Amanda Black is an American epidemiologist known for her research in infectious diseases and public health. She has contributed significantly to the understanding of disease transmission dynamics and the development of strategies for disease prevention and control.

Early life and education

Amanda Black was born in the United States. She developed an interest in science and medicine at a young age, which led her to pursue a career in epidemiology. Black attended Harvard University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. She then went on to complete her Master of Public Health (MPH) at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, focusing on infectious disease epidemiology.

Career

After completing her education, Black began her career at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where she worked on various projects related to infectious disease outbreaks. Her work at the CDC involved analyzing data from disease outbreaks and developing models to predict the spread of infectious diseases.

In 2010, Black joined the faculty at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health as an assistant professor. Her research at Columbia focused on the epidemiology of emerging infectious diseases, including Zika virus, Ebola virus, and COVID-19. She has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and has been a keynote speaker at several international conferences on public health.

Research contributions

Black's research has been instrumental in advancing the understanding of how infectious diseases spread in populations. She has developed mathematical models that have been used to predict the course of epidemics and to evaluate the effectiveness of public health interventions.

One of her notable contributions was during the Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa, where her models helped public health officials allocate resources more effectively and implement strategies to control the outbreak. Her work on the COVID-19 pandemic has also been widely recognized, as she has provided critical insights into the transmission dynamics of the virus and the impact of various mitigation measures.

Awards and recognition

Amanda Black has received several awards for her contributions to the field of epidemiology. She was awarded the Epidemiology and Public Health Award by the American Public Health Association in 2018. In 2021, she was elected as a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology for her outstanding contributions to the field.

Personal life

Black is married and has two children. She is an advocate for women in science and actively mentors young women pursuing careers in public health and epidemiology.

Related pages

• Epidemiology
• Infectious disease
• Public health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Amanda Black, epidemiologist