Meet the Director: Dr. Michael von Fricken
Dr. von Fricken is a globally recognized epidemiologist and public health scientist specializing in vector-borne diseases and One Health approaches. He currently serves as Associate Professor and Director of the One Health Center of Excellence at the University of Florida, where he leads interdisciplinary research and training initiatives aimed at addressing complex health challenges at the human-animal-environment interface. He earned his PhD and MPH in Public Health from the University of Florida, following a BS in Health Sciences from James Madison University. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Duke University, where he focused on zoonotic diseases in Mongolia.
Dr. von Fricken’s research portfolio spans over 100 peer-reviewed publications and more than $15 million in funded projects from agencies including the NIH, DoD, and Gates Foundation. His work has taken him to Haiti, Kenya, Mongolia, Pakistan, and Equatorial Guinea, collaborating with institutions such as the Smithsonian, USAMRIID, and the Navy Entomology Center of Excellence. He is a PI or Co-PI on multiple international surveillance and diagnostic studies targeting malaria, tick-borne diseases, and emerging arboviruses.
Dr. von Fricken is a passionate educator, having taught over 30 courses in global health and epidemiology, and mentored hundreds of graduate and undergraduate students. He has received numerous teaching and mentorship awards, including the George Mason University Teacher of Distinction and the University of Florida Outstanding Young Alumni Award.
He is a frequent keynote speaker and invited expert at global health conferences, and serves on editorial boards for journals such as Scientific Reports, Zoonoses and Public Health, and PLOS ONE. His professional service includes advisory roles with the Gates Foundation, the NSF NEON program, and the ASTMH.
Associate Directors:
Dr. Benjamin Anderson, Associate Director of Education and Training
Dr. Anderson is an Assistant Professor in Environmental and Global Health and PhD Program Director, as well as Associate Director of the One Health Center of Excellence. His research focuses on emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases, particularly viral respiratory pathogens, using a One Health approach. He has extensive international experience in epidemiology and applied laboratory research on disease transmission across humans, animals, and environments. His current work examines emerging pathogens in high-risk settings, vulnerable populations, and environmental reservoirs, as well as antimicrobial resistance in water systems. He is also committed to global health and building international research and training capacity.
Jerne Shapiro, Associate Director for Programs & Outreach
Jerne Shapiro, MPH, is a faculty member in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Florida. She brings over 20 years of applied epidemiology experience and is passionate about mentoring students and advancing public health education through applied learning.