Ms. Haydee Dabritz, Calif Dept of Public Health, Infant Botulism Treatment & Prevention Program, United States
Dr. Haydee A. Dabritz is a dedicated epidemiologist specializing in infectious diseases, with a focus on zoonotic pathogens and public health. She currently serves as a Molecular Epidemiology Project Specialist in the Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program at the California Department of Public Health. Her career spans both field and laboratory research, encompassing studies on Toxoplasma gondii transmission through domestic and wild animals and its impact on marine and human health. Her collaborative work has contributed significantly to understanding environmental contamination and zoonotic transmission routes. Dr. Dabritz has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, presented at international conferences, and has been recognized with multiple fellowships and research awards. Passionate about One Health, she seamlessly integrates epidemiology, microbiology, and wildlife ecology in her work, bridging the gap between human, animal, and environmental health. Her contributions make her a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award.
Publication Profile:
Scopus
Orcid
✅ Strengths for the Award:
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Interdisciplinary Expertise: Dr. Dabritz’s background spans microbiology, epidemiology, veterinary science, and environmental health. Her work reflects a strong One Health approach.
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Robust Research Portfolio: She has published extensively in high-impact journals on Toxoplasma gondii, zoonotic diseases, and more recently, infant botulism.
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Real-World Impact: Her research has implications for wildlife conservation, water quality, zoonotic transmission, and infant health, demonstrating both academic rigor and public health relevance.
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Collaborative and Global Perspective: Dr. Dabritz has worked with multidisciplinary teams, contributed to international research efforts, and presented her findings globally (e.g., ICOPA in Scotland).
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Governmental and Surveillance Experience: Her role at the California Department of Public Health reflects an active contribution to ongoing epidemiologic surveillance and response, particularly regarding infant botulism.
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Recognition by Peers: Fellowships (Morris Animal Foundation, Cal-EIS) and awards (Best Poster at Anaerobe Conference) showcase peer recognition of her scientific excellence.
🛠️ Areas for Improvement:
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Public Science Communication: While Dr. Dabritz excels academically, expanding her public outreach (e.g., through media, public policy briefs, or webinars) could amplify the impact of her research.
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Leadership in Multi-Center Studies: Leading large-scale, multi-institutional studies or securing major research grants could further solidify her status as a principal investigator on a national or international level.
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Mentorship and Teaching: Additional information on mentoring young researchers or teaching would enhance the picture of her academic leadership.
🎓 Education:
Dr. Dabritz earned her Ph.D. in Epidemiology from the University of California, Davis in 2006, concentrating on infectious diseases. Her dissertation focused on the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii in cats and rodents around the Morro Bay area of California—an innovative study bridging environmental science, veterinary medicine, and human health. This work laid the foundation for her future research in zoonotic diseases and environmental contamination. She previously completed her undergraduate education with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, in 2002. Her academic background combines a robust understanding of microbial science with advanced epidemiological methodologies, which she has applied to both wildlife and human health concerns. Dr. Dabritz’s education has uniquely positioned her to address complex public health issues through an interdisciplinary lens, blending fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and epidemiologic modeling to answer pressing infectious disease questions.
🧪 Experience:
Since February 2021, Dr. Dabritz has served as a Molecular Epidemiology Project Specialist at the California Department of Public Health, focusing on infant botulism. Her work includes patient recruitment for a twin study, manuscript preparation, surveillance, and database management. She has extensive experience in interviewing case parents and supporting national and international surveillance efforts. Previously, she held the Cal-EIS fellowship at Yolo County, where she strengthened her expertise in applied epidemiology. Her prior work includes extensive research on Toxoplasma gondii in coastal California, where she led field studies on free-roaming cats and wild rodents, and contributed to the understanding of environmental transmission pathways. Dr. Dabritz’s career combines hands-on field research, laboratory analysis, public health surveillance, and epidemiologic investigation, showcasing a rare combination of technical knowledge and practical implementation in real-world public health settings.
🏅 Awards and Honors:
Dr. Dabritz has received multiple prestigious honors throughout her academic and professional career. In 2005, she was named a Morris Animal Foundation Fellow for her work on zoonotic diseases. In 2006, she was selected for the Cal-EIS Fellowship at Yolo County, one of California’s most competitive applied epidemiology training programs. Her impactful poster presentation at the 2012 Anaerobe Conference in San Francisco earned her the award for Best Poster, recognizing her communication skills and excellence in scientific research. These accolades reflect her deep commitment to public health, scientific innovation, and interdisciplinary research. Dr. Dabritz’s consistent recognition by peers and professional bodies affirms her status as a leading epidemiologist with notable contributions to both the scientific community and public health infrastructure. Her ability to produce relevant, evidence-based insights in the field of infectious disease epidemiology makes her an ideal candidate for the Best Researcher Award.
🔬 Research Focus:
Dr. Dabritz’s research primarily focuses on infectious disease epidemiology, with a strong emphasis on zoonotic diseases and environmental transmission pathways. Her early work centered on Toxoplasma gondii in domestic and wild animals, investigating how terrestrial contamination affects marine ecosystems and public health. More recently, her research has shifted to infant botulism, where she plays a critical role in understanding disease incidence, fecal excretion duration, and familial patterns through twin studies. Her contributions extend across molecular diagnostics, surveillance systems, and environmental risk assessments. By leveraging One Health principles, she addresses the intersections of animal, human, and environmental health, working to inform public health policy and disease prevention strategies. Dr. Dabritz integrates robust field data with laboratory and statistical analysis to investigate disease dynamics, improve outbreak response, and guide evidence-based interventions, making her research both globally relevant and locally impactful.
📚 Publications Top Notes:
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📘 Transmission of Toxoplasma: clues from sea otters as sentinels – Int J Epidemiol, 2005
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🐱 Outdoor fecal deposition by cats and public attitudes – JAVMA, 2006
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🧪 Evaluation of two Toxoplasma gondii serologic tests in cats – J Parasitol, 2007
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🐭 Ectoparasite diversity and vector-borne disease in rodents – J Med Entomol, 2007
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🧬 Experimental infection of Peromyscus californicus with T. gondii – J Parasitol, 2007
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🦭 Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in elephant seals – Public Health Rep, 2008
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🧫 Detection of T. gondii oocysts in cat feces and environmental burden – JAVMA, 2007
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🐀 Risk factors for T. gondii in wild rodents in California – J Parasitol, 2008
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🐚 Type X T. gondii in wild mussel and terrestrial mammals – Int J Parasitol, 2008
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🦝 Prevalence of parasitic infections in opossums – J Parasitol, 2008
🧾 Conclusion:
Dr. Haydee A. Dabritz is a highly qualified, deeply committed researcher whose contributions to the fields of infectious disease epidemiology, zoonotic transmission, and infant health are both extensive and impactful. Her ability to translate scientific inquiry into actionable public health practices, combined with her publication record and recognized expertise, makes her an exceptional candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her work exemplifies excellence in interdisciplinary research and public health relevance, aligning perfectly with the goals of this prestigious honor.