Disease. Sickness. Malady. These are words that can truly send a chill down the spine as they bring us to the reality of the fragility of life and our proximity to the brink of death. Greek physician Hippocrates, known as the "father of medicine" from the 4th century BC, was the first known person to investigate the reasoning behind disease and its relationship with environmental factors. What exactly is a disease? Is there a common denominator of why they happen? Is there a way to evade sickness and possibly attain everlasting life? In this episode, we investigate the science and nature of sickness with a disease scientist, specifically in light of the current novel coronavirus pandemic.

We are joined today by Dr. Katrine Wallace, also known as Epidemiologist Kat, a scientist with expertise in epidemiology, research methodology, biostatistics, and science communication. She received her PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she currently serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. In 2022, she became Certified in Public Health by the National Board of Public Health Examiners. Previously a Director for several medical device companies’ Global Health Economics and Outcomes Research departments, Dr. Wallace now stands as an Advisory Board member for various projects focusing on infectious disease and public health practitioners funded by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. During the commencement of the 2019 pandemic, she provided public education and health misinformation debunking online, tackling the novel coronavirus, contagion data, and masking and immunization efforts. Dr. Wallace has become part of international science communication initiatives, such as “Team Halo” by the United Nations and Project FIDES by the World Health Organization. The UK government also recognized her as a “Vaccine Luminary” at the 2021 G7 Vaccine Confidence Summit. Dr. Wallace has extended her education in the classroom and online to international television as an expert opinion contributor for outlets such as BBC World News, CNN, CBS, The Washington Post, The New York Times, MSNBC, and NPR.

Livestream Air Date: April 11, 2023

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Thankful to the season's brand partners: Covry, House of M Beauty, Nguyen Coffee Supply, V Coterie, Skin By Anthos, Halmi, By Dr Mom, LOUPN, Baisun Candle Co., RĒJINS, Twrl Milk Tea, 1587 Sneakers