2023 MDH Speaks: Public Health Lab Video Series
In May of 2023, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) hosted an event with St. Paul College called “MDH Speaks,” which consisted of various speakers from the Public Health Laboratory. People spoke about their work experiences, discoveries they’ve made, and their own journeys in public health. MDH looks forward to hosting more events like this, as we share more of who we are and what we do.
“Sundaes to Sonic” by Ray Erickson
Public Health Laboratory Manager Anna Strain, Ph.D., introduces our MDH Speaks event with the first speaker, Laboratory Scientist Ray Erickson. Ray speaks about Minnesota’s 1994 outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis, how technology helps to advance the ability to monitor and test for outbreaks, and that time the CDC warned people to not “kiss or snuggle hedgehogs.”
Audio Text of the “Sundaes to Sonic” Video (PDF)
“A Tale of Two Poxviruses” by Emily Yarosz
Emily Yarosz, of the Infectious Disease Laboratory, speaks about her journey into the public health sphere, inspired as a child by the book "Code Orange" by Carolyn B. Cooney. She changed career paths, endured a pandemic, and worked through the mpox outbreak. Emily shares her story and what it means to work in public health as a Laboratory Leadership Service Fellow with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Audio Text of the “A Tale of Two Poxviruses” Video (PDF)
“Shining a Light on Phantom Organisms” by Mel Anacker
Research Scientist Mel Anacker, Ph.D., speaks about how unexpected discoveries in the Public Health Lab help Minnesotans. Mel teaches about superbugs, how to work with an antibiotic known as carbapenem, and how she helped to develop the testing process for organisms resistant to carbapenem.
Audio Text of the “Shining a Light on Phantom Organisms” Video (PDF)
“Toxic Beauty” by Lisa Strong
Lisa Strong, Ph.D., research scientist with the Public Health Laboratory, speaks about toxic beauty standards that can lead to the use of mercury-filled skin-lightening cream. She warns about the dangers of mercury poisoning and shares how important the Public Health Lab is to protecting Minnesotans.
Audio Text of the “Toxic Beauty” Video (PDF)
“Healthy Kids Minnesota” by Jessica Nelson and Fathi Ahmed
From MDH's Environmental Health Division, Epidemiologist Principal Jessica Nelson, Ph.D., and Senior State Planner Fathi Ahmed speak about the new biomonitoring program “Healthy Kids Minnesota,” which measures kids’ exposure to harmful chemicals in their daily environment.
Audio Text of the “Healthy Kids Minnesota” Video (PDF)
“Tensions in Delivering Safe Drinking Water” by Steve Robertson
Steve Robertson, supervisor of the Source Water Protection Unit in MDH's Environmental Health Division, speaks about the systems that deliver safe drinking water, how trust plays a huge role in the Public Health Lab, and some of the risks of unsafe drinking water. He encourages Minnesotans to speak up about the need for environmental protection, because advances in public health can’t happen without the public.
Audio Text of the “Tensions in Delivering Safe Drinking Water” Video (PDF)
“Environmental Radiation” by Jesse Fillmore
Research Scientist Jesse Fillmore speaks about his experience working in the Inorganic Unit of the Environmental Laboratory. He explains what radiation is (including the difference between ionizing and non-ionizing radiation), how it can be detected and measured, and where we encounter it in our daily lives.
Audio Text of the “Environmental Radiation” Video (PDF)
See also the videos from the latest MDH Speaks.