Stephen Taylor Email & Phone Number

Beltsville, Maryland, United States

I work as a research fellow at the Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory (APDL) in Beltsville, MD. APDL investigates infectious diseases, host immune responses, and public health interventions in food animals.I currently focus on developing and implementing purpose-built analysis pipelines for metagenomic investigation of parasite DNA sequenced in our lab. This includes the integration of machine learning tools to facilitate inquiry and visualization of large datasets. I also provide support in preparing, sequencing, and validating genomic DNA from various parasites of agricultural importance.

Dallas, Texas, United States

Highlights from this role include serving as the lead enteric diseases investigator at Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) and supporting Dallas County's COVID-19 response.As enterics investigator, I was the principle staff epidemiologist responsible for collecting individual case data from patient medical charts, healthcare providers, and patients or their proxies. I synthesized data from individual cases to identify outbreaks and collaborated with schools, daycares, and restaurants to stem outbreaks of pathogens like Shigella, Cyclospora, and STEC. From March 2020 to November 2020, I also oversaw enteric casework performed by contractors and staff nurses.I supported Dallas County's COVID-19 response in various roles. Early in the pandemic, I served as a point of contact and information for local residents and community leaders in regard to COVID-19 questions and concerns. Once COVID-19 reached Dallas, I performed investigation and contact tracing of COVID-19 clusters, including at a homeless shelter, local jails, and a funeral. As case numbers grew, I oversaw daily contact tracing casework by a team of 12 contract nurses and was in charge of providing follow-up guidance to positive cases on contact notification, self-isolation, and plasma donation. I contributed to the county COVID-19 database on a daily basis by rapidly reviewing patient charts and entering key patient data for follow-up by contract investigators. From March 2020 to August 2020, I worked 60+ hours per week including alternating weekends and served in a 24/7 on-call rotation.

Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory

In this short-term role, I supported the Animal Parasitic Disease Laboratory's Toxoplasma gondii research program. I prepared 100 genomes of T. gondii parasites sampled from across the United States and South America over 25 years, providing the basis for an analysis of T. gondii diversity. This process involved extracting DNA, preparing genome libraries, and sequencing using Qiagen, Illumina, and Oxford Nanopore platforms. I utilized both laboratory-based and portable genome sequencing technology, gaining a better understanding of the advantages and drawbacks of each. I streamlined laboratory workflow in order to complete the project under a strict deadline after senior agency leadership opted to sunset the T. gondii research program.

Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory

I supported a team that investigates parasites, host immune responses, and interventions in food animals, as well as conducting surveillance in agricultural and food processing environments. Our team carried out congressionally funded research mandates at the intersection of veterinary and public health. My responsibilities and achievements:•Supported the oversight of a $7-10 million annual program budget, integrating financial data from Congressional allocations, third-party research grants, and local expenditures and obligations to provide financial reports and basic accounting services for eight research laboratories.•Advised principal investigators and division management on the application of relevant fiscal laws and policies.•Developed a strategy that utilized expiring personnel funds to subsidize research fellowship contracts, thereby saving ~1 million USD from being returned to the U.S. Treasury, boosting research fellow living stipends, and increasing the size of the Animal Parasitic Research Laboratory's fellowship program by 30%.•Served as a lab safety officer to ensure researcher compliance with regulations pertaining to chemical and biological hazards.•Planned for continuity of essential laboratory functions in case of emergency or government shutdown.•Assisted in establishing and amending interagency and university research agreements, as well as extramural grants.•Coordinated purchases of major laboratory equipment according to GSA acquisitions policy.•Performed laboratory rotations to better understand empirical and technical approaches to the organizational mission.•Served on the Northeast Area Diversity Committee to foster a diverse USDA workforce. Led development of the committee charter.

Coordinated with patients and health care providers to fill prescriptions, managed patient information and insurance claims, and gained familiarity with commonly prescribed drugs

Niassa Province, Mozambique

•Served as first Peace Corps Volunteer in rural northern Mozambican district.•Utilized fluent Portuguese in professional and non-professional settings.•Worked with partners in local high school, district government, and U.S. Embassy in Mozambique to develop a student health advocacy group. Received financial support from President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).•Established student health advocacy group composed of fifteen students and three teacher mentors to identify local public health programming gaps regarding infectious diseases, alcohol abuse, and gender-based violence.•Mentored student health advocacy group as they facilitated community outreach events aimed at improving prevention of and response to HIV/AIDS, malaria, alcoholism, and gender-based violence. Students educated hundreds of local community members.•Developed and taught curricula covering anatomy and physiology, infectious disease biology, computer literacy, and English language to non-technical audiences, including high school students in a classroom setting, the local police force, and local farmers.

Glen Allen, Va

Tutored small groups of middle and high school students in pre-algebra, algebra, and organic chemistry.

Interfaced with customers, providing assistance and advice in purchasing fine produce.

James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va

Worked with Collections Manager to conduct survey of all artwork on the James Madison University campus and create a comprehensive database.

Cared for laboratory mice used in research involving leishmaniasis and malaria.

Master Of Science, Biodefense

Activities and Societies: Next Generation Global Health Security Network: Mason Chapter President 2018-2019, Delegate to the 4th Global.

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Biology

Activities and Societies: Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity, Biology Peer Mentor

Advanced Diploma

Activities and Societies: MLWGS Annual Japan Exchange 2005-2007, Technology Student Association