Learning Outcomes
- Develop an improved skillset related to disease modeling and statistical analysis software (i.e. R, R studio, GIS)
- Explore and analyze how CEAH utilities international disease surveillance capabilities for animal health and related agricultural issues to facilitate informed decision-making in government and industry
- Collaborate with subject matter experts to learn about how unique analytical tools are developed and modified to meets program needs
- Participate in professional shadowing experiences or networking events to enhance knowledge and skills in disease risk modeling and application to support programmatic decisions and policy work
Assessments
The student will be assessed subjectively throughout the rotation and briefed about their performance by the preceptor with weekly “check-in” meetings. At these meetings, the work completed by the student will be checked for ongoing progress and discussed. Additional assessments that will be evaluated at these weekly meetings are to include: base knowledge of subject matter, development of subject matter expertise, work efficiency, effective communication, and professional conduct.
Daily Schedule
The student will participate in weekly, or bi-weekly, calls or online video meetings with the project team to discuss daily and weekly objectives, with additional calls as needed. The timing of these meetings may vary according to the schedule of staff members. Objectives may include tasks dealing directly with team members' needs, or they may include tasks specific to the student's responsibilities within the project, such as data management and analysis. As the entire CEAH staff is working primarily remotely, student learning and engagement will be self-driven, but the collaborative and communicative culture of CEAH should be appreciated, with the student striving to contribute to a productive work environment. Email and messaging app (Microsoft Teams) updates to the project supervisor at regular and short intervals are encouraged early in the internship while workflow is established.
The Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health (CEAH) is one of the science centers within Veterinary Services (VS) Science, Technology, and Analysis Services (STAS). CEAH’s mission is to promote and safeguard U.S. agriculture by providing timely and accurate information and analysis about animal health and veterinary public health.
CEAH explores and analyzes animal health and related agricultural issues to facilitate informed decision-making in government and industry. CEAH also partners with the World Organization of Animal Health (OIE) and its member countries to improve international disease surveillance capabilities and analytic methods supporting trade decisions.
Staffed with a multidisciplinary team, CEAH provides scientifically sound and statistically valid information and tools to help policymakers reach critical decisions regarding animal health issues. The CEAH staff includes veterinary epidemiologists, spatial analysts, statisticians, agricultural economists, GIS and computer specialists, and technical writers.
The student will participate in weekly, or bi-weekly, calls or online video meetings with the project team to discuss daily and weekly objectives, with additional calls as needed. The timing of these meetings may vary according to the schedule of staff members. Objectives may include tasks dealing directly with team members' needs, or they may include tasks specific to the student's responsibilities within the project, such as data management and analysis. As the entire CEAH staff is working primarily remotely, student learning and engagement will be self-driven, but the collaborative and communicative culture of CEAH should be appreciated, with the student striving to contribute to a productive work environment. Email and messaging app (Microsoft Teams) updates to the project supervisor at regular and short intervals are encouraged early in the internship while workflow is established.