Welcome!
Our lab conducts research within occupational health and infection prevention, focusing on the transmission and control of infectious diseases in healthcare settings, households, and workplaces. We aim to address critical challenges such as antimicrobial resistance, respiratory virus transmission, and the health and safety of frontline workers, including healthcare providers, first responders, and farmworkers.
Using rigorous quantitative methods, multidisciplinary collaborations, and community partnerships, we aim to develop evidence-based strategies that protect workers, reduce the burden of infectious diseases, and improve patient safety. Our mission is to translate research into practical solutions that create healthier environments and support public health.
About the Principal Investigator
Katherine (Kate) Ellingson, PhD, is an infectious disease epidemiologist whose work bridges federal, state, and academic public health. She began her career at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer, contributing to outbreak response efforts for H1N1, Ebola, and Zika, while leading initiatives to strengthen infection prevention in healthcare settings globally. She later served as Senior Epidemiologist at the Oregon Health Authority, where she directed statewide HAI reporting and developed infection control programs. Now a faculty member at the University of Arizona’s College of Public Health, Dr. Ellingson leads research focused on antimicrobial resistance, occupational health, healthcare worker safety, and infectious disease transmission. Her work combines rigorous quantitative methods with applied public health solutions, and she actively collaborates with the CDC and other partners to advance infection prevention. She also mentors University trainees at all levels and is committed to developing the next generation of public health leaders.
View Katherine Ellingson's Curriculum Vitae (CV) here:
