Food for Thought with Desiree LaBeaud and Bethel Bayrau

About the speakers:

Dr. Desiree LaBeaud is a physician scientist, epidemiologist, and professor for the division of pediatric infectious diseases at Stanford University’s School of Medicine. She studies the epidemiology and ecology of domestic and international arboviruses and emerging infections, with an interest in the vector, host, and environmental factors that affect transmission dynamics and spectrum of disease.
 
Dr. LaBeaud received her MD from the Medical College of Wisconsin. While earning her master’s degree in clinical research and epidemiology, she trained with the Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital pediatric residency program and the Case Western Reserve University pediatric infectious disease fellowship program. She currently heads a clinical research lab focused on better understanding the risk factors and long-term health consequences of arboviral infections, with current field sites in Kenya, Grenada, and Brazil. 
 
Dr. LaBeaud is affiliated with the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, the Emmett Interdisciplinary Program in Environment & Resources, and the Center for Innovation in Global Health at Stanford University. She serves as a deputy editor for the Public Library of Sciences Neglected Tropical Diseases Journal, as an editorial advisor for the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, and as a reviewer for many other scientific journals. She serves on a number of National Institute of Health study sections and chairs the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Kean committee and the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Green Task Force. She is also past-chair and councilor of the American Committee of Arthropod-borne Viruses.

Bethel Bayrau, ‘22, is a senior from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, majoring in human biology and minoring in African Studies. Her interests lie at the intersection of viral infectious diseases, epidemiology and maternal/infant health pertaining to the African continent in particular. On campus she is co-president of the Stanford African Students’ Association and volunteers at Pacific Free Clinic. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking and going on adventures with friends and family. Bayrau worked with Professor Desiree LaBeaud on the project, “Disentangling the Human Vector Relationship to Disrupt Dengue and Chikungunya Virus Outbreaks in Kenya.”