Mary Webster’s path to becoming a resource epidemiologist for the Indiana Department of Health began with a deep-rooted passion for diseases and how they spread.
“I have always held a fascination with different diseases and how they travel,” Mary explains.
This curiosity led her to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a concentration in epidemiology at the Fairbanks School of Public Health, where she graduated in 2024. “This program seemed like a great fit for me because I wanted to know how I could turn my interests into a career,” she shares.
Throughout her studies, Mary’s interest in epidemiology only grew, particularly in the area of antibiotic resistance. She is passionate about the potential risks posed by this public health threat and hopes to contribute to its containment.
“I believe antibiotic resistance has the potential to become a pressing issue in public health,” she says.
Alongside this, she expresses a desire to engage in clinical research trials and the process of designing studies, where she can not only conduct important research but also ensure that participants feel comfortable and supported.
Before stepping into the field of epidemiology, Mary’s career started in customer service, followed by a role as an office assistant for the IU School of Medicine in 2022. In 2023, she took on an internship at the Indiana Department of Health, working as a student investigator. It wasn’t long before she transitioned to her first full-time position in March 2024, accepting the role of resource epidemiologist for the same department.
“My official title is ‘local health department resource epidemiologist I,’ and my days consist of assisting local health departments with case investigations of reportable infectious diseases,” she says.
Mary’s day-to-day responsibilities are anything but monotonous.
“I’m usually making calls to patients and conducting interviews in hopes of gathering exposure information,” she says, adding that common investigations involve diseases such as rabies exposure in animal bites, campylobacter, and group A streptococcus. Her ability to communicate effectively, honed during her studies, has proven to be one of the most valuable skills in her career:
“Being able to adapt to different audiences has been extremely helpful in the personal, educational, and professional aspects of my life.”
When asked what advice she would give her college self, Mary reflects on the diversity within the field of epidemiology.
“I would have advised myself to do more research on all the different roles an epidemiologist can take on. There can be a lot of variability in their day-to-day roles,” she notes, hinting at the wide range of opportunities available in public health.
Looking to the future, Mary began her Master of Public Health (MPH) program this fall, with a continued concentration in epidemiology.
“I would like to continue to explore different areas of epidemiology and cultivate new connections with other public health professionals,” she shares.
Mary’s journey is a testament to the doors that an education in public health can open, and her story offers those seeking a career in the field a glimpse of the diverse and impactful opportunities that await them. For Mary, some of her fondest memories from her undergraduate years include “meeting the friends and professors that supported me along the way.”
As she steps forward into new challenges, her passion for public health and her dedication to making a difference remain stronger than ever.
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