For Simrandeep Kaur, public health isn’t just a career—it’s a calling.
As the immunization data & surveillance coordinator for the Indiana Department of Health, she has turned her passion for epidemiology into a pathway for making tangible, positive impacts in communities. But Simrandeep’s journey into public health wasn’t always a straight line.
“I started at Indiana University Indianapolis without declaring a major, knowing I wanted to go to PA school,” she recalls. “But I wasn’t sure what major would be the best route while fulfilling the requirements for PA school.”
However, a chance encounter with public health changed everything.
“One day, I found myself at an open house being held by the School of Public Health. I declared my major in public health epidemiology the next semester,” she says.
Courses like Intro to Public Health and Zombie Apocalypse and Other Doomsday Infections sparked her curiosity and solidified her interest in epidemiology. This pivotal decision set Simrandeep on a trajectory that would take her from IU Indianapolis to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), where she pursued her Master of Public Health (MPH) in epidemiology.
“Since graduating from IU Indianapolis, one of the most significant things that happened was getting to leave Indianapolis, where I was able to grow on a personal and professional level,” she shares. “I completed my MPH at UIUC before coming back to the city that led me to finding public health.”
Now, in her current role, Simrandeep has a front-row seat to some of the most pressing public health challenges.
“An average day for me involves checking my emails and ensuring I’m caught up on projects the immunization data team may be a part of,” she explains. “As the subject matter expert on immunization data, I may lead or attend calls, oversee team projects like data requests, dashboards, or writing queries for data extraction.”
At the heart of her work is a passion for prevention—a concept she considers powerful in its simplicity.
“As an epidemiologist, I have the unique opportunity to relay compelling narratives using data, highlighting the critical role that preventive measures play in our daily lives,” she says.
One key lesson she’s carried from her studies into her career is the importance of communication.
“A lesson I learned during my studies that I’ve applied to my career is how to write, talk, and present information at a level understandable to a third grader,” she reflects. “Many times, as epidemiologists, we get into the technical side of things, and it can be hard to communicate with those that are not technical.”
This ability to translate complex data into understandable messages has been a cornerstone of her success in public health. When asked what advice she would give to her college self or anyone considering a career in public health, Simrandeep emphasizes the importance of real-world experience.
“Take your time in school and participate in as many real-life career-building opportunities in the type of work you’re interested in,” she advises. “Network within the school, create connections, attend conferences, and learn how to write abstracts. And if you’re interested in a local, state, or federal career, learn about policies and always be ready to learn.”
Looking ahead, Simrandeep has no plans of slowing down.
“I’m working towards gaining more real-life experience within public health epidemiology and plan to pursue my doctorate degree in public health in the years to come,” she says.
Reflecting on her time at IU Indianapolis, Simrandeep’s favorite memory is especially poignant in the context of the past few years.
“My favorite college memory was seeing a real-life pandemic unfold in front of my eyes a year before graduating,” she recalls. “It really put everything that was being taught into perspective.”
Simrandeep Kaur’s journey is a testament to the power of curiosity, dedication, and the desire to make a difference. For those considering a future in public health, her story offers a glimpse of what’s possible. From data analysis to disease prevention, her work as an epidemiologist proves that public health professionals are on the frontlines, protecting communities and shaping healthier futures.
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