Sophia Shea, MPH

Sophia Shea joined the GCHS as an experienced program manager with a portfolio of projects ranging from higher and medical education programs on both a national and international level to clinical and qualitative research in emergency settings. As the National Capital Region Project Manager (PM) at GCHS, Sophia has supported a variety of all hazards and special pathogens projects such as the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) Pilot Program, investigating military-civilian medical surge capacity, capabilities, and interoperability, and the United States Public Health Service’s Deployment Safety Academy for Field Experiences (D-SAFE), which provides deployment safety and infection prevention and control training for Commissioned Corps Officers.  She also manages the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center’s (NETEC) Special Pathogens Research Network (SPRN), Biocontainment Unit (BCU) Leadership workgroup, and the Regional Emerging Special Pathogens Treatment Centers (RESPTCs) Regional Coordination workgroup, facilitating work on building special pathogens research infrastructure and implementation and BCU operational readiness.  Sophia is also the Executive Director for Region 7’s CDC Center for Public Health Preparedness and Response, which will play an essential role in advancing the uptake of evidence-based strategies and interventions across communities and enhancing their ability to prepare for and respond to public health threats.

 Sophia received a B.S. in biological sciences with a minor in public health from the George Washington University and later obtained her MPH from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health where she concentrated in infectious diseases and completed a certificate in global health.  She is currently working on her PhD in biological defense and health security at UNMC.