Biography, Disciplines and Teaching Interests

Dr. Jessica Smith Schwind is an epidemiologist and director of the IHLA at Georgia Southern University whose work is focused on the human-animal-environment interface. Her research and service is rooted in disease surveillance, public health capacity building, and risk communication for the prevention and response to a wide variety of health threats. As institute director, Jessica has led the IHLA in its commitment to optimize the health and well-being of communities through evidence-based practices and technology integration. Through support from various local, state and federal partners, the IHLA has successfully provided essential trainings, services, and resources on topics ranging from Covid-19 mitigation to zoonotic disease prevention. These efforts played a critical role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases and ensuring the health and safety of vulnerable populations. Building upon this foundation, the IHLA aims to implement innovative, sustainable solutions that address broader health challenges facing rural communities. Dr. Schwind received a BS in Applied Biology from Georgia Tech, a MPH from New York Medical College, and PhD in Infectious Disease Epidemiology from University of California, Davis.

Disciplines: Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Global Health

Teaching Interests: Environmental Health, Epidemiology, and Global Health