Epidemiology and Industry: Bridging the Public Health Gap with Dr. Michael Mina

EPISODE SUMMARY:

Dr. Liz Kwo speaks with Dr. Michael Mina, Chief Science Officer at eMed, about his extraordinary journey from academia to biotech. From Buddhist monk to public health leader, Dr. Mina shares insights on diagnostics, pandemic response, and skill stacking across disciplines.

5 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Skill Stacking as a Superpower
Combining expertise in epidemiology, immunology, and diagnostics gave Dr. Mina a unique vantage point in responding to public health challenges.
Transitioning from Academia to Industry
Dr. Mina opens up about leaving Harvard and finding faster execution and greater impact in the biotech world.
Bridging Clinical Medicine and Public Health
Tools used in clinical settings can be repurposed as large-scale public health solutions when paired with the right vision and leadership.
The Role of Communication in Science
Mina emphasizes how translating complex science into public messaging is essential for meaningful adoption and impact.
Diagnostics in the Age of AI and Global Crises
Mina shares how his work at eMed is pushing forward accessible, tech-enabled diagnostic solutions for public health at scale.

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 START – Welcome and introduction to Dr. Michael Mina
01:00 – Dr. Mina’s early career in engineering and public health
03:00 – Becoming a Buddhist monk and responding to the 2004 tsunami
05:00 – Transition to medicine, global public health projects, and MD/PhD
07:00 – Discovering measles immune amnesia and working with the WHO
10:00 – Role of skill stacking and how it led to pandemic diagnostic leadership
12:00 – Frustrations in academia and pivot to action with eMed
14:00 – The future of diagnostics and real-time public health tools
16:00 – Advice on transitioning out of academia and maximizing impact
18:00 – Reflections on innovation, pace, and public-private collaboration

RESOURCES:

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-mina-md-phd-711918113/

🔗 CONNECT WITH DR. LIZ KWO:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizkwo/

liz.kwo@everlyhealth.comliz.kwo@everlyhealth.com