Sam Gordon

Public health laboratory professional specializing in rabies diagnostics, zoonotic disease surveillance, and One Health initiatives. Experienced in laboratory-based rabies detection using Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA) testing and RT-PCR, mammalian necropsy, molecular diagnostics, epidemiological research, and public health education. Skilled in laboratory quality systems, SOP development, GIS mapping, and scientific communication.

Passionate about strengthening global rabies surveillance, improving diagnostic accessibility in resource-limited settings, and advancing collaborative approaches to eliminate human deaths from dog-mediated rabies.

APHL-CDC Fellow - New Hampshire Public Health Laboratory

(2025-10 - 2026-10)

• Perform routine mammalian necropsies, bat species identification, Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA) testing, and RT-PCR for rabies virus detection.
• Maintain laboratory documentation, quality assurance records, and testing data for rabies surveillance.
• Participate in rabies education and outreach programs for primary and secondary schools and community science events.
• Completed rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) vaccination series with protective antibody titer confirmation.
• Demonstrate competency in BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratory practices.
• Authored Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Post-Column Oxidation (HPLC-PCOX) detection of saxitoxin.
• Develop laboratory safety preparedness plan for shellfish toxin testing.
• Prepare verification plans and reports in accordance with National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) requirements.
• Perform shellfish toxin analysis using HPLC instrumentation and interpret chromatographic data for public health reporting.
• Collaborate with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services on shellfish toxin surveillance and reporting.

Arbovirus Surveillance Laboratory Technician - Massachusetts Department of Public Health

(2025-04 - 2025-10)

• Conducted statewide arbovirus surveillance supporting mosquito- and tick-borne disease prevention.
• Collected, identified, and processed mosquito specimens for molecular and serological testing.
• Performed surveillance using CDC light traps, gravid traps, and ovitraps.
• Managed insectary operations including mosquito rearing and species identification.
• Conducted tick drags and identified tick specimens for disease surveillance.
• Maintained surveillance databases and GIS mapping to support epidemiologic investigations.

One Health Epidemiology Intern (Practicum) - Utah Department of Health and Human Services

(2024-06 - 2024-08)

• Collaborated with Team Rabies and the Utah State Public Health Veterinarian to revise the Utah State Rabies Disease Plan.
• Updated rabies exposure risk assessments, "bat in the bedroom" protocols, CSTE case definitions, epidemiologic guidance, and public health policies.
• Conducted research on rabies epidemiology, state and local rabies ordinances, and public health policy.
• Evaluated community knowledge and public health education strategies related to rabies prevention.
• Utilized SAS and SPSS to analyze rabies surveillance data across Utah and the United States.
• Produced scientific and public health communications supporting One Health initiatives.

Teaching Assistant – Biology, Chemistry & Environmental Science - North Shore Education Consortium

(2017-01 - 2025-04)

• Supported Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science instruction for secondary students.
• Designed laboratory activities and science curricula.
• Developed zoonotic disease and infectious disease educational lessons for college-bound students.
• Led environmental education and outdoor science programs.
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary educational teams to support individualized student success.

Master of Public Health (MPH) - Epidemiology - Regis College (2022 - 2024)

Bachelor of Science - Biology & Psychology - Salem State University (2018 - 2022)

Associate of Science - Biotechnology - North Shore Community College (2017 - 2018)