Evidence of pandemics extends back to the earliest recorded times. Increasing encroachment of humans into the natural world has led to the spread of most zoonotic diseases. We will describe those diseases throughout history, the advent of vaccination, and the eventual elimination of smallpox through public health measures. How diseases spread and how they might be prevented will be discussed.

This will be a combined live and Zoom presentation.

About the Speakers: Christine Milcarek, PhD, has been a long-time UU member with her husband Robert Baron and their two children Jonathan and Julianne. She did research in Immunology and taught at MIT, Columbia University, and University of Pittsburgh. She retired in 2019 as an Emerita Professor and since then has taught several Osher science classes, including one on Pandemics.

Julianne L. Baron, PhD, CPH, RBP is the President and Owner of Science and Safety Consulting. She obtained her PhD in Infectious Diseases and Microbiology from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Public Health. She is Certified in Public Health, is a Registered Biosafety Professional, has professional certifications in both Biorisk Management and Cyberbiosecurity, and is Certified in Cybersecurity. Dr. Baron is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Public Health. She is the President-Elect of the Front Range Biosafety Association (FRaBSA),