Your sister’s school got hit with the stomach bug. Everyone in your math class has been coughing. Half your swim team is out sick. What’s happening? And is there any hope of you staying healthy this winter?

    Try asking Deepika Joshi. She’s not a doctor or a nurse. She’s an epidemiologist who works for a city in New Jersey. It’s her job to study infectious diseases. Those are diseases that can spread from one person to another, like the flu and Covid-19.

    Let’s say there’s a measles outbreak in her community. Deepika investigates how or why it’s spreading­—and tries to stop it from getting worse. We asked her about her job.

Why do epidemiologists study diseases? 

    We’re like detectives. But instead of solving crimes, we solve mysteries about sicknesses. I use maps, charts, and data to track diseases as they spread. That helps me learn about how they spread. I have to work fast to make sure as few people as possible get sick.

What kind of data do you collect? 

    During an outbreak, I gather information from people who are sick. I may talk to their doctors, workplaces, or schools. I want to know what symptoms they had and when they started feeling sick. I also want to know where they live and where they might have traveled recently. This information is like pieces of a puzzle. Having more pieces can help us figure out how to stop an outbreak. 

What are some other ways you work with the community? 

    My team and I help educate people at schools or senior centers. Certain people may be more at risk for getting certain diseases. We talk about ways they can stay healthy, like seeing their doctors for regular checkups or getting their flu shots.  

Did you always want to do this job? 

    I was always interested in health and science. So I studied public health education in college. That’s where I learned about epidemiology. I knew it would let me study diseases, explain outbreaks, and help my community. 

What advice do you have for kids who want to do what you do? 

    Stay curious. Question how things work. Don’t worry if you don’t know everything right away. I learned a lot in school but also as I began working. You learn by doing!