I have been working in tuberculosis since 2012, with a large focus on research regarding its prevention. In terms of training, pure epidemiologists would shun me if I called myself an epidemiologist and pure health economists would shun me if I called myself a health economist… so I perhaps would describe myself as a tuberculosis researcher with skills in epidemiology, cost assessment, and economic evaluation. My research centers on generating evidence to inform the design and implementation of novel tuberculosis prevention and care strategies that maximize public health impact, while minimizing health system and patient costs. My primary aim is to optimize identification and treatment of tuberculosis infection to prevent progression to tuberculosis disease.

I could fabricate a nice story here, but I think it is good to be honest about life’s realities sometimes. I had applied for a master’s in outcomes research and the only supervisor who would take me had a single project available, focused on tuberculosis prevention among people born outside of Canada. I went into graduate school with no idea what I wanted to do with my life and this was a good way to delay the reality of having to make a serious decision. I worked on the project for a while and still wanted to delay the inevitable so I did what any person would do… I transferred to a PhD to remain in school. I don’t think it was until my 4th year of my PhD where I truly “got it” and became passionate about the topic I was researching, and the people affected by tuberculosis. The disease – and its study – fascinates me. There is so much yet unknown about such an old pathogen and an incredible amount of avoidable pain and suffering still borne by often already disadvantaged communities. I think I can play a small role in the journey to end tuberculosis globally, and that, along with excellent colleagues, is what keeps me interested and motivated.

I’m presently doing research evaluating the potential return on investment of scaling-up different tuberculosis screening and prevention activities, as well as research to better characterize tuberculosis risk and its consequences. I think these streams work together to advance the science needed to address tuberculosis, by providing evidence to decisionmakers on the value of tuberculosis prevention and evidence to clinicians to inform their practice.

Apart from developing a vaccine… Two areas I think are of great importance. (1) Tuberculosis infection: understanding the natural history of tuberculosis infection (e.g., self-clearance, risk over time, reinfection) and developing diagnostics with higher positive predictive value for disease (current ones are quite poor). (2) Tuberculosis disease: identifying people at highest risk for functional, psychosocial, and financial sequelae and developing interventions to prevent and/or manage them. Over 155 million people are living today after surviving tuberculosis – we need to ensure they are not forgotten.

I like to play hockey and snowboard for physical activity, while I follow most sports quite closely. My partner and I enjoy trying new restaurants and cuisines, and the Montreal food scene is excellent for that. I want to say I’m an avid reader but I read so much during the workday I find myself avoiding casual reading outside of work. However, I do quite enjoy the golden age of television we are living in right now, so I try (but often fail) to keep up with the latest television comedies and dramas.

Based on my response to the previous question… not too many books but I am slowly trying to make my way through A Song of Ice and Fire. In terms of movies, I enjoy anything Christopher Nolan, while TV shows… The Sopranos, The Wire, Breaking Bad, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Veep, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia… all excellent and easily rewatchable. Game of Thrones would be on that list, but I think we’ve all seen the final few seasons and know why it isn’t.

Pretty much any Italian food, but rigatoni bolognese would be the top choice.

Raw selvedge denim and quality service boots? My kryptonite. Have too many of each to count!