Our Team
Laura Skrip, PhD, MPH
Co-Founder, Executive Director
I am a quantitative epidemiologist who develops and implements behavior-epidemiologic transmission models to evaluate the dynamics of and interventions against emerging infectious diseases in humanitarian settings. It is my goal to generate relevant and informed evidence that can guide public health decision-making in complex emergencies. I am a passionate educator with a long history of teaching math, science, and prevention programming to students of all ages. Likewise, I am an avid learner who continues to grow, in part through the collaborations, mentorships, and friendships that have developed out of field epidemiology experiences across the globe.
Benjamin J. Blamo, M.Eng., PhD Cand.
Co-Founder
I am a Chemical Engineer with focus in Environmental Toxicology. I have worked in both the private and government sectors of Liberia in key leadership roles, from serving as the health sector focal point for chemical safety to being the laboratory manager of the Environmental Health Laboratory (EHL), National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL). Additionally, I am proud of my significant contributions as a leader, teacher, and researcher to the education system of Liberia.
My goal is to help develop the scientific research capacity of Liberia to an internationally recognizable standard, especially in the area of environment health and toxicology. Liberia has been affected not only by economic hardship and the civil wars, but also by climate change and industrial activities that contaminate the ecosystem of the country. It is my belief that evidence from scientific research can be used to address the increased burden of diseases from the environment.
Snoyonoh T. Barcon, MPH
Senior Research Associate
I am an innovative aspiring epidemiologist candidate and an educator. My goal is to contribute meaningfully to improving health and preventing and controlling diseases through research. I believe everyone deserves access to good quality health care and education. I also believe that research provides policymakers with much insight in developing well-guided policies which is essential to attaining quality health and education.
I seek an environment that allows me to continue learning and developing myself professionally. Over time I have served as enumerator, teacher at the college and high school levels teaching basic biology, chemistry, health and wellbeing, research, and ecology courses. I have also been a part of developing a humanitarian organization working to empower women and girls in improving their health and hygiene.
George Blede Davis, MPH Cand.
Research Associate
I am presently an Applied Epidemiology student at the University of Liberia School of Public Health. I previously obtained a Bachelor of Science in Public Health (Magna Cum Laude) from the William V. S. Tubman University. I attained a certificate in Biostatistics II with Advanced R from Q4D. I aspire to be an epidemiologist and a researcher with specific focus on data-driven solutions. I am currently coauthoring a paper based on data from the TB Annex on Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis. I have a vision of making a significant impact in the Public Health Sector of Liberia and beyond.
Prior to enrolling in the MPH program, I worked with the Maryland County Health Team, Ministry of Health, for over four years serving as Community Health Services Supervisor (CHSS). I provided technical support and supervision to Community Health Assistants (CHAs) and Community Health Volunteers (CHVs). More recently, I worked on the World Bank Social Cash Transfer Project as the Quality Control Officer.
