Sara Bazaco, Phd Mph Email & Phone Number

Clarksburg, Md, Us

College Park, Maryland

Teaching classes on emerging and neglected infectious diseases using a One-Health focus. Courses include: “The Coming Plague: Emerging Infectious Diseases” and “From Syphilis to SARS” to upper-class Undergraduates. Average ~25 students per class.

Johns Hopkins University, Center For Heath Security

Competitively selected to join the ELBI Fellowship Program as a 2020 Fellow.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Supported the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch (AFHSB) Global Emerging Infections Surveillance (GEIS) section whose mission is to collect and disseminate infectious disease surveillance data via the Global DoD Laboratory Network. They provide military and public health decision-makers with actionable information for detection, prevention, and response efforts. As the Science Advisor, I :- Provided scientific and technical guidance for the $60M GEIS portfolio on infectious disease surveillance projects (including: febrile and vector-borne, antimicrobial resistant, enteric, and respiratory pathogens/diseases) utilizing my knowledge of infectious diseases and surveillance strategies. - Led the Program Monitoring and Evaluation of the portfolio - Worked to maintain an understanding of current infectious disease surveillance efforts within and outside of the DoD.- Helped to coordinate the organization, collection, compilation, and reporting of SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequencing for the DOD MHS system and overseas laboratories

Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch

Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch (AFHSB): Co-leads a team of 10+ epidemiologists, biostatisticians, senior and junior research analysts in providing timely disease surveillance support to military clients. Uses expertise in surveillance, study design, SAS, and SQL to analyze AFHSB and external datasets (billions of records). - GDIT on-site manager to 15+ employees- E&A team outputs ~444 Periodic Reports and ~330 ad hoc analyses per year

Lorton, Virginia

Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s Cooperative Biological Engagement Program (DTRA/CBEP): Provided evaluations of animal, human, and zoonotic/One Health disease surveillance systems for over 33 CBEP partner countries. Provided recommendations to develop capacity and capabilities to prevent, detect, and respond to human and animal outbreaks (e.g., training, research, preparedness, and surveillance SOPs). Ensured that 5yr implementation plans aligned with the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA). - Led team of 10+ subject matter experts in animal and human biosurveillance (clinical, epidemiology, laboratory diagnostics, IT) and ensured quality and timely deliverables- Worked closely with other Team Leads (Metrics, Biosafety and Biosecurity) to coordinate support for CBEP portfolio - Provided in-house training sessions to clients and colleagues on epidemiological techniques

Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) Cooperative Biological Engagement Program (CBEP): - Served as an epidemiology subject matter expert to advise DTRA/CBEP government clients on evaluating and developing over 33 foreign countries’ capacities and capabilities to prevent, detect, identify, report, and respond to outbreaks of pathogens and diseases of security concern- Performed baseline capacity and capability assessments for 21 DTRA/CBEP countries in under 11 months, and then provided detailed annual metrics updates to 19 of those portfolios - Designed, planned, and implemented a multi-sectoral ministerial-level table-top exercise in a partner country in less than 5 months.- Reviewed an average of 3-4 research proposals and white papers per month from potential grant recipients for technical and statistical rigor - Mentored 2 junior epidemiologists - Developed and managed the Epidemiology Distance Learning competencies and acquisition package

Rockville, Md

HealthCost – Epidemiology Subject Matter Expert - Provided epidemiological subject matter expertise for the development of a novel predictive cost avoidance model/tool to inform public health resource allocation personnel to allocate resources.- Supported marketing and business development efforts to develop and build the program portfolio Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Quality Ratings System (QRS), July 2014 – May 2015- Provided epidemiological and statistical methodology consulting to develop the Health Insurance Marketplace Quality Rating Score methodology- Identified and tested hierarchical modeling options to optimize and improve the rating process while balancing statistical validity, limitations of the data, and stakeholder input- Produced plain language deliverables for general public

Rockville, Md

NIH NIAID– Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases; and FDA/CBER/OBE:- Contributed to the planning and execution of 8 different influenza vaccine clinical trials- Assisted with developing a new study protocol to examine the effects of early vs delayed treatment of coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever)- Provided epidemiological subject matter expertise to a systematic review of VaxDesign’s Modular Immune in vitro Construct (MIMIC) system.- Performed statistical analysis of study data, and immunology summaries - Contributed to and reviewed interim safety reviews (SMC), Investigator’s Brochures (IB), Investigational New Drug (IND) applications, and end of study reports (CSRs)- Designed and tested electronic case report forms and data collection programs

“Evaluation of Differing Type 1 Diabetes Regimens in Youth in the Developing World” Clinical Trial: Assisted with the development and submission of an RC4 grant to the NIDDK (Dr. Trevor Orchard, PI; 1RC4DK090809-01) for a comparative effectiveness evaluation of diabetes management regimens. Managed IRB submission, study materials and reports; and trained staff on data collection and abstraction • Executed the research protocol, including screening for eligibility, obtaining written consent, randomization, and collection and analysis of clinical data for 50 participants• Monitored protocol adherence and proper adverse event reporting, participated in interim safety meetings, and assisted with DSMB charter development and reporting

Pittsburgh, Pa And Rwanda, Africa

International Diabetes Federation’s (IDF) Life for a Child (LFAC) Program in Rwanda: Performed a Program Evaluation of the LFAC’s type 1 diabetes (T1D) clinic in Kigali Rwanda. Collected and analyzed longitudinal surveillance and clinical health data for more than 800 children and youth. Identified areas for future improvement, intervention, and investment. - Calculated the first country-wide estimates of incidence, prevalence, and mortality of T1D in Rwanda- Assisted with developing a registry and building disease surveillance and data analysis capacity in local staff. - Identified risk factors and behaviors associated with improved health outcomes, developed interventions based on results, which led to measurable improvements in health - Identified areas for possible future improvement, intervention, and investment

- Collected longitudinal data for over 500 study participants with type 1 diabetes in the Pittsburgh area, including phone interviews, clinical visits, and data coding and entry - Utilized the dataset to analyze the relationship between pulse wave analysis and cardiac autonomic neuropathy in patients with type 1 diabetes, which resulted in a publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Assisted with daily laboratory tasks; performed RIA assays, lipid diagnostic tests, ELISA assays, sample preparation and verification, and data collection. Practiced appropriate BSL-2 level biosafety.

Worked at the Chambersburg, PA and then Pittsburgh, PA Victoria’s Secret retail stores- initially as seasonal/part time support and then as team lead and manager and then back to part time manager before moving into my laboratory/professional career. Set strategy, provided daily guidance, and set goals for teams of 10-15 people.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Epidemiology

Activities and Societies: Doctoral Student Organization (DSO), Student Public Health Epidemic Response Effort (SPHERE), Public Health.

Master'S Degree, Public Health

Dissertation: "Evaluation of the International Diabetes Federation's Life For a Child Program: A Rwandan Experience, 2005-2009."

Bachelor Of Science (Bs), Biology, General

Honors Research Thesis: "The Role of C. elegans PAM-1 in Centrosome and Chromosome Dynamics."