Sarah R. Michaels

Dr. Sarah R. Michaels serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, where she applies her expertise in medical entomology and vector-borne disease epidemiology to address critical public health challenges in vulnerable communities.

Education:

• PhD in Tropical Medicine, Tulane University
• MSPH in Parasitology, Tulane University
• BA in Environmental Studies, University of Rochester

Her research program centers on arbovirus transmission ecology and vector control practices, with particular focus on how natural disasters exacerbate disease transmission through disrupted infrastructure and altered vector habitats. She investigates health disparities in vector-borne disease burden and develops community resilience frameworks to strengthen neighborhood-level response capabilities. This work integrates field-based entomological surveillance with social epidemiological methods to create practical interventions for at-risk populations.

Professional Experience:

• Entomologist at City of New Orleans Mosquito Control Board
• Infectious Disease Epidemiologist at Louisiana Office of Public Health (including emergency response leadership during Hurricanes Katrina/Rita)
• Lecturer at Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases, Cornell University

Dr. Michaels maintains active engagement with public health practice through community outreach initiatives and operational research partnerships. She has trained numerous public health professionals in vector identification techniques and mentored student practicum projects focused on local disease prevention. Her teaching in SPHU 1020 emphasizes the intersection of biological systems and community health, preparing students for field applications of epidemiological principles.

She actively develops local field opportunities for students in New Orleans neighborhoods, creating hands-on learning experiences in vector surveillance and community-based intervention design. Her research approach emphasizes practical solutions for vector-borne disease control in resource-constrained and disaster-affected settings.