Ozair Naqvi, Ph.D., a recent graduate of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center’s Graduate College and the Hudson College of Public Health’s Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, has been accepted into the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s prestigious Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS)—a highly competitive, two-year postdoctoral program known for training the nation’s “disease detectives.”

Naqvi’s path to this national leadership role in epidemiology began nearly a decade ago, sparked by a book and a pivotal conversation.

“I first learned about the Epidemic Intelligence Service in 2015 after reading The Next Pandemic by Dr. Ali S. Khan, former U.S. Assistant Surgeon General,” Naqvi said. “His career responding to infectious disease outbreaks inspired me, so I reached out to him for advice. Despite his demanding schedule as Dean of the University of Nebraska School of Public Health, he took the time to encourage me to pursue epidemiology—a conversation that shaped the course of my career.”

That inspiration led Naqvi to pursue graduate studies at the OUHSC Hudson College of Public Health, where he found another key mentor: Dr. Aaron Wendelboe, himself a former EIS officer.

“Hearing his firsthand experiences investigating disease outbreaks at the CDC only deepened my determination to follow in the footsteps of those who have dedicated their lives to protecting public health,” Naqvi said.

The EIS program equips fellows through hands-on fieldwork, rapid outbreak response, data-driven decision-making, and leadership development. Its alumni have played critical roles in public health history, including the smallpox eradication campaign, responses to Ebola and Zika virus outbreaks, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“EIS officers have been on the frontlines of public health, stepping up when the world needs us most,” said Naqvi. “I am honored to be a part of this legacy and to contribute to the ongoing mission of protecting lives through applied epidemiology.”

The OUHSC Graduate College congratulates Dr. Naqvi on this extraordinary achievement and looks forward to the impact he will make in advancing global health.