Epidemiology · Disease Prevention · Scientific Research

Negin Nazari

I use machine learning and spatial analysis to predict disease and environmental risk. Data science approach to epidemiological problems that works across health, environment, and industry.

◉ Orange County, California PhD Candidate, Biology · Public Health Open to work — 2026
fig. modeled risk surface n = ∞
01 — About

The short version

I'm finishing my PhD in spatial epidemiology. Basically, I use data and maps to predict where diseases will spread and what causes them.

I started in a wet lab doing biotech work. Then I moved into computational stuff. So I get both the science side and the data side.

Most of my time is spent managing messy data, building models, and making maps that actually help public health agencies make decisions.

I'm looking for roles in data science, research, or consulting where analytical rigor and clear communication actually inform decisions. Focus areas: health, environment, disease prevention, and public health.

Outside work, I hike and kayak around Southern California, or hang out with my cat.

02 — What I do

Three things I'm good at

/ 01

Data Science & Machine Learning

Building predictive models with ensemble methods, Bayesian inference, and spatial statistics. Working with real-world data to solve problems in health, disease prevention, and environmental risk.

/ 02

Spatial Analysis & GIS

Turning location data into actionable insight. Hotspot detection, risk mapping, and spatial modeling with ArcGIS Pro and open-source tools.

/ 03

Scientific Writing & Communication

Peer-reviewed publications, grant proposals, and clear communication for experts and decision-makers across government, industry, and research.

03 — Selected work

Publications & projects

A Three-Year Study Reveals a Strong Association Between NO2 and COVID-19 in the state of Oklahoma, United States

Nair, R. R., Nazari, N., & Stephens, P. R. (2026). Journal of Infection and Public Health, 103388.
2026

Socioeconomic and Eco-Environmental Drivers Differentially Trigger and Amplify Bacterial and Viral Outbreaks of Zoonotic Pathogens

Phillips, P., Nazari, N., Dharwadkar, S., Filion, A., Akaribo, B. E., Stephens, P., & Sundaram, M. (2025). Microorganisms, 13(3), 621.
2025

Comparative Analysis of Disease Outbreak Drivers in Oklahoma and the U.S.

Nazari N, Sundaram M, Stephens PR. (2026). Royal Society Open Science.
Under Review
2026

Air, Behavior, and Demographics: Distinct COVID-19 Drivers in High vs Low Lung Cancer Burden Counties in the US

Nair RR, Kshirsagar A, Nazari N, Stephens PR, Sundaram M. (2026). PLOS One.
Under Review
2026

Repeating Past Mistakes: Understanding Neighborhood-Level Drivers of the Spanish Flu Pandemic

Filion A, Chowell G, Kaplan R, Nazari N, Stephens PR, Eisenberg M. (2026). American Journal of Epidemiology.
Under Review
2026

Socioeconomic and Environmental Predictors of COVID-19 Incidence Across Oklahoma Counties: Integrating Machine Learning and Additive Models

Nazari N, Nair RR, Stephens PR.
In Preparation
2026

Environmental and Socioeconomic Drivers of Non-Filoviral Hemorrhagic Fever Outbreaks: Transmission Mode versus Geographic Context

Nazari N, Sundaram M, Stephens PR.
In Preparation
2026

Presentations

Comparative Analysis of Disease Outbreak Drivers in Oklahoma and the U.S.

Biology Seminar, Oklahoma State University. Oral Presentation.
2024

Comparative Analysis of Disease Outbreak Drivers in Oklahoma and the U.S.

Evolution Conference, Athens, Georgia. Poster Presentation.
2025

// Full publication list on Google Scholar ↗

04 — Recognition & service

Grants, awards & service

Grants & awards

NSF I-Corps Regional Grant

Competitive innovation grant · National Science Foundation

Robberson Graduate Fellowship

University-wide nomination for research excellence · Oklahoma State University

Wilhm Travel Grant

Awarded to present research at a national conference

Ben Lafond Research Award

Recognizing excellence in a PhD research proposal

Leadership & service

Award Committee, OSU Graduate Student Society 2026

Managed budgeting and grant distribution.

Secretary, OSU Graduate Student Society 2023–2024

Organized seminars and managed student–faculty communication across a 200+ member organization.

Peer Reviewer

Biology Letters and Nature Sustainability.

05 — Toolkit

How the work gets done

Languages & analysis

R Python SQL tidyverse scikit-learn

Geospatial

ArcGIS Pro spatial statistics hotspot analysis QGIS

Methods

ensemble ML outbreak prediction spatial epidemiology disease ecology

Laboratory

wet-lab methods molecular biology biotechnology

Domains

infectious disease disease prevention public health scientific writing grant writing
06 — Contact

Let's put good science to work

Open to roles in epidemiology, research, disease prevention, and scientific writing. The fastest way to reach me is email.