Patsy Polston

Patsy Polston, PhD, MSPH, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Behavior at the Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She holds roles such as Board Member of the Public Health Foundation Board (2019–present) and teaches courses like SPHG 701: MPH Practicum Preparation and SPHG 351: Foundations of Public Health Service Activities. Her research focuses on virology, environmental health, and public health policy, with notable work on enteroviruses, adenoviruses, and molecular diagnostics.

Education:

• PhD in Environmental Sciences and Engineering (Health Behavior minor), UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health (2015)
• MSPH in Environmental Sciences and Engineering, UNC Gillings School (2011)
• Certificate in Global Health, UNC Gillings School (2010)
• BS in Electrical Engineering and Physics, Tuskegee University (1997)

Research Interests: Her work spans virology, environmental health, and public health policy. She develops molecular tools for pathogen detection, including improved cell lines for adenovirus detection and antiviral efficacy studies. Her recent research emphasizes high-throughput sequencing for enterovirus genomics and waterborne pathogen surveillance.

Scientific Awards:

• Recipient of the Dennis and Mireille Gillings Foundation Fellowship (2015–2018).

Advising & Grants: No formal student advisees listed, but her courses emphasize practical public health training. Her research aligns with global health initiatives, particularly in infectious disease control and environmental health.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with virology and environmental health research groups at UNC Gillings School, focusing on molecular diagnostics and public health surveillance systems.