Core Speakers Series to feature nationally recognized epidemiologist

The University of Southern Indiana will host Dr. Syra Madad, a nationally recognized leader and epidemiologist in public health and special preparedness and response, for the Core Speakers Series at 6 p.m. Tuesday, February 22 in the Screaming Eagles Arena. The University community and public are invited to attend.  

Madad, a pathogens preparedness expert, has been featured in the Netflix docuseries "PANDEMIC: How to Prevent an Outbreak." She will participate in a meet and greet with select students before the event and the public presentation, "From COVID-19 and Beyond: Lessons Learned and How to Pandemic-Proof Society Moving Forward," will begin at 6 p.m., with a moderated Q&A following from 7 to 7:30 p.m. 

Madad is currently the Senior Director of the System-wide Special Pathogens Program at New York City Health + Hospitals, the nation's largest municipal healthcare delivery system overseeing special pathogen preparedness and response effects across 11 acute care hospitals, in addition to post-acute/long term care facilities and ambulatory care sites. She is Principal Investigator of New York City Health + Hospitals Center for Global Healthcare Preparedness to Special Pathogens. Madad also serves as Core Faculty in the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) and as Assistant Professor in the Graduate Biotechnology/Biodefense Program at the University of Maryland.  

Madad plays one of the lead roles in the Netflix docuseries "PANDEMIC: How to Prevent an Outbreak," which follows a handful of leaders throughout the world on the frontlines to prevent the next outbreak. She is also featured in the Discovery documentary "The Vaccine: Conquering COVID" and was recognized on the Crain's New York Business List Notable in Healthcare for 2021. 

Doors for the event will open at 5 p.m. Masks are required to attend and in all buildings on the USI campus, and physical distancing guidelines will be in place at the event. 

For more information, contact Kenneth Purcell, Director of Core 39, at kmpurcell@usi.edu or 812-461-5337.