Carlota Medus: Part sleuth, part scientist

Born in Boston, Carlota Medus grew up in Argentina and Panama—her parents’ native countries. At 18, she returned to the United States to attend college, knowing that she wanted to somehow help communities and conduct research.

While studying for her B.A. in psychology from the University of Minnesota, she took a course in epidemiology.

"Once I learned what epidemiology was, tracking diseases, studying diseases in populations, I was hooked. It fascinated me."

In 1999, Medus received an M.P.H. in epidemiology. In 2005, she completed a Ph.D. in environmental health.

SPH's mentor program helped her make connections at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). She is now a senior epidemiologist at the agency and adjunct professor at SPH. Part sleuth, part scientist, Medus works on research studies, looking at risk factors for different infections and investigating food borne outbreaks.

"I have the best of both worlds, research and public health practice," she says.

(Updated: June 2009)

Environmental Health Sciences