Kathleen Winter

Dr. Kathleen Winter is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Kentucky's College of Public Health. She concurrently serves as the State Epidemiologist for Kentucky and Director of the Division of Epidemiology and Health Planning at the Kentucky Department for Public Health. Her expertise spans communicable disease control, immunization strategies, and pandemic response, with a focus on vaccine-preventable diseases and public health policy.

Dr. Winter previously spent 11 years in California’s Immunization Branch and led epidemiological efforts during Kentucky’s 2021 COVID-19 surge. She teaches graduate courses in infectious disease epidemiology and has published extensively on topics including mpox, hepatitis C, pertussis, and healthcare-associated infections. Her work emphasizes reducing health disparities through evidence-based interventions and improving vaccination compliance in vulnerable populations.

Her research portfolio includes groundbreaking studies on mpox transmission dynamics, barriers to hepatitis C treatment among pregnant mothers, and the impact of vaccination timing on infant mortality. She has collaborated with federal public health agencies and contributed to policy recommendations addressing opioid-related hepatitis C outbreaks and pediatric pertussis prevention.

While no formal awards are listed, her leadership roles and high-impact publications reflect her significant contributions to public health practice and academic research.