Since the onset of the pandemic, UHD continues to ensure that the campus community is engaged in important COVID-related conversations.

As part of the Natural Science Virtual Colloquium Series, the College of Science & Technology’s Department of Natural Science is hosting “Public Health Matters: A Local and State Perspective to Responding to a Pandemic,” 1 – 2 p.m. Friday, April 23.

This virtual discussion features Dr. Umair A. Shah, Secretary of Health for the Washington State Department of Health. Shah will discuss how COVID impacted a strained public health system and what we are still learning about COVID-19.

Prior to his newly appointed position as Secretary of Health, he served as Executive Director of Harris County Public Health (2013 – 2020) for the local health of 4.7 million residents in the nation’s third largest county. Shah prior positions included Former Deputy Director of Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services (HCPHES) and Director of HCPHES Disease Control & Clinical Prevention (2004 –2013). In 2016, he received the National Association of County and City Health Officials for his Harris County local health service for innovation, engagement, population health and health equity.

The event will be moderated by UHD’s Dr. Courtney Standlee, Lead Faculty Lecturer in Natural Science. A Q&A session will follow the talk.

“Under the leadership of Dr. Akif Uzman, CST Dean and NS Chair Dr. Rachna Sadana, we are focused on inclusive excellence and highlighting diverse voices,” said Standlee. “Dr. Shah is a dynamic public servant and I know first-hand about his dedication to public health and Harris County residents. Hosting a subject-matter expert of his caliber may speak to our students’ curiosity and drive to enter public service.”

For the more than 10 years, the NS Virtual Colloquium Series serves as a key co-curricular activity for students in the Natural Science department. The purpose of the series is expose students to research and career opportunities on and off campus. In 2020, the platform was changed to a virtual format, making it possible to bring high-profile speakers to UHD.

“COVID has impacted our students. It’s important to host these talks on pandemic-related issues,” Standlee emphasized. “Because of the pandemic, our students have missed many campus co-curricular activities. Our focus is to invite speakers who can share about their research, personal stories and career advice.”

To submit questions for the virtual discussion, contact Dr. Courtney Standlee at standleec@uhd.edu.

To attend the talk:
Zoom link: https://uhd.zoom.us/j/93633253030
Passcode: NS2021