CV
Dr. Sophia Anyatonwu
Experience
Director of Signature Programs, Senior Epidemiologist
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Community Manager
The United States Research Software Engineer Association (US-RSE)
Data Analyst IV
Texas HHSC Office of the Inspector General
Decision Support & Leadership Consultant
scanyatonwu Capacity Building
Research Specialist V
Texas Department of State Health Services
Health Services Researcher (Graduate Research Assistant) Texas A&M University School of Public Health, College Station, TX
Capstone and Project Management Teaching Assistant (Graduate Teaching Assistant)
Texas A&M University School of Public Health, College Station, TX
Global Epidemiology Fellow
PHI/CDC Global Health Fellowship Program, Lusaka, Zambia
Surveillance Manager (Epidemiologist II + Region 7 Flu Surveillance Coordinator)
Texas Department of State Health Services, Public Health Region 7; Temple, TX
Lead Epidemiologist for High-Consequence Infectious Diseases
Hays County Local Health Department, San Marcos, TX
Infection Control Associate
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital, Arlington, TX
Graduate Student Investigator/Graduate Student Assistant
UNTHSC, Fort Worth, TX
Graduate Student Epidemiology Program (GSEP), MMRC Evaluator
U.S. Government, Department of Health & Human Services, HRSA, Atlanta, GA
AVID Tutor
Austin Independent School District, Austin, TX
Laboratory and Teaching Assistant
Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Laboratory Assistant
Terrabon Inc., College Station, TX
Research Assistant
National Science Foundation CLIPS Polymer Envoys Program, Austin, TX
Education and training
Doctor of Philosophy – Health Services Research (Cognate: Health Economics)
Department of Health Policy and Management, Texas A&M University School of Public Health, College Station, TX
Master of Public Health – Epidemiology
University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC), Fort Worth, TX
Bachelor of Science – Biology
Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Patent Prosecution Fellow
Patent Pathways @ Harrity and Harrity LLP, Fairfax, Virginia
Short Course in International Health
Disease Control: Strategies and Policies @ Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg, Germany
Certifications and certificates
Issuer: Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (2026)
Certified in Infection Control (CIC®)
Issuer: Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) / Texas A&M University
AUTM Technology Transfer Basics for Faculty and Research Staff
Issuer: World Health Organization Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Health
Antimicrobial Resistance in the Environment: Key Concepts and Interventions
Issuer: World Health Organization Health Emergencies Program
Infection prevention and control measures in health-care settings for Ebola or Marburg disease outbreaks
Issuer: World Health Organization Ethics Research Committee Secretariat, Global Health Ethics & Governance Unit
Research Ethics Online Training
Issuer: Texas Department of Emergency Management / FEMA Emergency Management Institute
Advanced Incident Command System, Command and General Staff
Intermediate Incident Command System for Expanding Incidents
ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incident, ICS-200
Introduction National Incident Management System (NIMS) License IS-00700.a
Introduction to Incident Command System, ICS-100
Introduction to Incident Command System License IS-00100.b
National Response Framework (NRF), An Introduction Professional
Research and practice
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT (Online Courses)
The Scrutinizer Network online course – Google Open Online Education
Surveillance Networking Spaces online course – Google Open Online Education, Microsoft Sway
FACILITATED TRAININGS AND WORKSHOPS
Communicating in the 21st Century
A 1-2 hour training for professionals, teams, or organizations looking to develop actionable health or scientific messages for communities.
Data for Action in Organizations
A 1-2 hour training for professionals, teams, or leaders that are seeking to set realistic expectations when it comes to using data for action in organizations.
The Scrutinizer
A 1-2 hour workshop for graduate students, professionals, teams, or leaders that are seeking to join the Scrutinizer Network or participate in the initiative.
*Please note that trainings and workshops need to be scheduled 3 months in advance.
PUBLICATIONS
Predictors of Pediatric Frequent Emergency Department Use Among 7.6 million Pediatric Patients in New York – Texas A&M Population Informatics Lab, College Station, TX
Exploring the role of discretionary income as a social determinant of health – Texas A&M Department of Health Policy and Management, College Station, TX
Emergency Department Utilization by Adolescents Experiencing Homelessness in Massachusetts – Texas A&M Population Informatics Lab, College Station, TX
Applying infectious disease forecasting to public health: a path forward using influenza forecasting examples – Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, Forecasting Workgroup
Environmental transmission of Clostridioides difficile ribotype 027at a long-term care facility; an outbreak investigation guided by whole genome sequencing – Texas Department of State Health Services, Temple, TX
CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS
PreConference Workshop Session
Scrutinizer Challenge Initiative - Using Strategic Thinking to Examine Headlines that Impact the Public’s Health – Texas Public Health Association Conference, San Antonio, TX
Oral Presentation
Aging in Place in the United States: Exploring the Current and Future Landscape of Informal Caregiving – Dissertation Defense, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Epidemiology as a Resource to Examine the Hype in Headlines of Public Health Significance & Deliver Reliable Messages – American Public Health Association (APHA) Conference, Philadelphia, PA
Scrutinizer Challenge Initiative: Examining the Hype to Deliver Reliable Messages – International Society for Disease Surveillance (ISDS) Conference, San Diego, CA
Getting to Know Your New Best Friend: Making the Most of Your Data Using the Tools You Have – Texas Public Health Association Conference, Waco, TX 2016-2017
Flu Season Trends DSHS Region 7 – Texas Department of State Health Services Influenza Surveillance Workshop, Austin, TX
Networking Workshop
Developing Surveillance Networking Spaces with Support from Agency Leadership- Empowering Surveillance Staff to Inform Public Health Action (Networking Presentation) – International Society for Disease Surveillance (ISDS) Conference, San Diego, CA
Poster Presentations
Characteristics and Factors Associated with Pediatric Frequent ED Use: An Analysis of 7.6 Million Pediatric ED Patients in New York – AcademyHealth Conference, Virtual
Descriptive Study of Shelter Surveillance Activity During Hurricane Harvey – Texas Public Health Association Conference, Waco, TX
PUBLIC HEALTH PRESENTATIONS, INTERVIEWS, AND PROJECTS
Texas Healthcare Transformation and Quality Improvement Renewal Evaluation (1115 Demonstration Waiver in Texas DY7–DY11) – Texas A&M University, School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, College Station, TX
Managed and analyzed complex administrative data, compiling results for leadership teams as well as presenting results and strategic insights internally and externally for the Medicaid Waiver Evaluation
For Those Who Care: Possible Solutions to Address Dysfunctional Turnover in the Public Health Workforce – Texas A&M University, School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, College Station, TX
This paper was developed in an Organizational Theory course. The main goal was to characterize workplace challenges I had seen (and experienced) as an epidemiologist/public health practitioner and brainstorm solutions to help the workforce move forward.
Local Media Radio Interview for KTSW 89.9 – Hays County Local Health Department, San Marcos, TX
Gave and interview focused on the threat of Zika in San Marcos and general ways for college students and residents to protect themselves over the summer(particularly while traveling).
On the Front Lines of the Mosquito Fight Newspaper Article – Hays County Local Health Department, San Marcos, TX
Quoted in an article in the San Marcos Record newspaper (based on an interview concerning the threat of arboviruses in Hays County).
Zika Presentation – Hays County Local Health Department, San Marcos, TX
Created a presentation that gives an overview of information from the CDC and PAHO concerning Zika developments (updated periodically).
Test YOUR Zika Knowledge questionnaire – Hays County Local Health Department, San Marcos, TX
Created an assessment to gather feedback about Zika knowledge and generate conversation in the LinkedIn Global Health group.
Graduate Student Outbreak Response Team Panel Discussion/Workforce Development Event – UNTHSC, Fort Worth, TX [Advisor(s): Dr. Witold Migala, Dr. Brad Cannell]
Developed and implemented a panel discussion event aimed towards helping UNTHSC School of Public Health students receive practical and strategic insight on how to find their future place in the public health workforce.
Evaluation of Georgia’s Maternal Mortality Review Process – Georgia Department of Public Health, Atlanta, GA [Advisor(s): Dr. Witold Migala; Tonia Calder, MPH]
Conducted a systematic evaluation of the current process for identifying, reviewing, and classifying deaths that occur during or within 1 year of pregnancy in the state of Georgia.
Graduate Student Outbreak Response Team Booth Feature at Severe Weather Fair – UNTHSC, Fort Worth, TX [Advisor(s): Blake Abbe, CEM; Dr. Witold Migala]
Developed poster titled, “SORT Presents: Close to Home” (with pictures of natural disaster events that have happened in the local community), as well as handed out emergency preparedness checklists and crossword puzzles that tested basic knowledge of epidemiology and emergency preparedness concepts.
Evaluation of Volunteer Activity – Envoy Hospice, Fort Worth, TX [Advisor(s): Rosy Duncan, Dr. Brad Cannell]
Evaluated volunteer activity by applying data management and statistical computing techniques to volunteer data. Made general conclusions from the overall assessment and submitted reports to the volunteer coordinator.
Veterans Day Project – Envoy Hospice, Fort Worth, TX [Advisor: Rosy Duncan]
Worked with the volunteer coordinator on a project focused on identifying veterans in the Envoy Hospice care system and helping make gains in the hospice’s “We Honor Veterans” program.
Anti-Trafficking Community Prevention Experience – Goa, India [Advisor: Jay Felker]
Served with an organization that focuses on human trafficking prevention in Goa, India and received first-hand experience on what goes into the process of effective capacity building and community mobilization. Prevention efforts included: collaborating with local community members, schools, and faith-based organizations to help develop and lead activities for the youth.
Research protocol: “Assessment of covariates influencing access to healthcare and vaccine acceptance and use in Tarrant County”– UNTHSC Interprofessional Research Project Research, Fort Worth, TX [Director: Dr. Shane Fernando]
Graduate Student Outbreak Response Team Construction – UNTHSC, Fort Worth, TX [Advisor: Dr. Witold Migala]
Worked with a small group of public health graduate students to construct a Registered Student Organization (RSO) focused on providing opportunities to receive hands-on experience and get jobs in outbreak and emergency response, by collaborating with relevant entities on-campus and in the community.
SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCES AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM PLANNING
United States Research Software Engineer Association (US-RSE) Annual Conference
Training Program in Epidemiology and Public Health Intervention Networks (TEPHINET) Regional Scientific Conference
American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting and Expo
Texas Public Health Association (TPHA) Annual Education Conference
Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) Annual Conference
PROOFREADING/EDITING/ANALYSIS PLAN ASSISTANCE
Collaboration between Public Health Preparedness and Infectious Disease Epidemiology: An Exploration of Current Practices and Opportunities in Texas, Temple, Texas
Glioblastoma multiforme presenting as postpartum depression: a case report– Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Carl Gustav University Hospital, Tu Dresden, Dresden, Germany
Earnest Holistic Health blog and website – Austin, Texas
Leadership
The United States Research Software Engineer Association (US-RSE)
• R Affinity Group: Projects Coordinator, December 2024 to Present
• Community and Travel Funds Committee, June 2023 to June 2025
World Health Organization Health Emergencies Program
• Leadership and Program Management in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), Winter 2024
Towerscope Academy
• FUEL Forward Action Lab Leadership Accelerator, Winter 2024
de Beaumont Foundation/The University of Miami
• Building Expertise in Administration and Management (BEAM) for Public Health Professionals Certificate Program, July 2019 to Aug 2019
Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology: Central Texas Chapter (APIC 116)
• Immediate Past President, January 2020 to June 2020
• President, January 2019 to December 2019
• President-elect, January 2018 to December 2018
• Membership Chair, June 2016 to December 2017
Texas Department of State Health Services, Region 7
• Data Intelligence Lead, August 2017 to October 2017
• Syndromic Surveillance Lead, January 2017 to August 2018
American Public Health Association: International Health Section (APHA IH)
• Social Media Associate (Leadership Consultant), November 2019 to June 2020
• Social Media Subcommittee Chair, April 2018 to November 2019
• Communications Co-Chair, November 2016 to November 2019
Texas Public Health Association (TPHA)
• Governing Councilor, March 2017 to March 2020
• Epidemiology Section Chair, March 2019 to March 2020
• Epidemiology Section Chair-elect, March 2018 to March 2019
• Epidemiology Section Secretary, March 2017 to March 2018
• Epidemiology Section Secretary-elect, March 2016 to March 2017
Young Women’s Alliance (YWA)
• Finance Chair, June 2017 to March 2018
University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC) Graduate Student Outbreak Response Team (SORT)
• Co-founder and President, September 2014 to December 2015
Awards and recognitions
Recognition of Contribution – United States Research Software Engineer Association, Remote
Recognition of Contribution – Zambia Field Epidemiology Training Program, Lusaka, Zambia
Champion Character Award for “Initiative” – Texas Department of State Health Service, Temple, TX
Award for Outstanding Service – Texas Public Health Association, Austin, TX
Delta Omega Honorary Public Health Alpha Sigma Chapter Inductee – UNT Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX
Making the Difference Award – Tarrant County Public Health Medical Reserves Corps (MRC), Fort Worth, TX
Volunteer of the Month – Envoy Hospice, Fort Worth, TX
Current organizations
EpiCore
Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologist (CSTE)
Society for Epidemiological Research (SER)
Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS)
International Health Economics Association (iHEA)
Public Health Foundation Core Competencies Workgroup
Networking and learning events or spaces
Executive Women in Texas Government (EWTG)
Austin Women in Technology
Monitoring and Evaluation Academy
FedInsider Tech News