Flu Fighters: CDC

Every year individuals around the world work to study, track, and prevent flu. This page profiles these Flu Fighters and the work they are doing to contribute to flu prevention in the U.S. and around the world!

CDC Flu Fighters

Dr. John Barnes, microbiologist and team lead for CDC’s Influenza Genomics team

Meet flu fighter Dr. John Barnes, microbiologist and team lead for CDC’s Influenza Genomics team. In a world where influenza (flu) viruses are constantly changing and evolving, this team examines (sequences) the genomes of thousands of influenza viruses a year. “Flu is both a fascinating and frustrating virus to study,” says Dr. Barnes. “Influenza viruses have a unique ability to move through genetic space very quickly.  Every week, there is a new ‘curveball’ that could literally leave us looking at changes in the viruses that we have never seen before.”

Lynnette Brammer, MPH, team lead of the Domestic Influenza Surveillance team

Meet flu fighter Lynnette Brammer, team lead of CDC’s Domestic Influenza Surveillance team, which is responsible for collecting, analyzing and publishing a weekly report on the impact flu is having across the U.S. This information helps inform efforts to protect the public’s health. According to Mrs. Brammer, there is no good flu season, just different degrees of bad.

CDR Lisa Delaney, director, Emergency Response and Preparedness Office (EPRO), NIOSH

Meet flu fighter Lisa Delaney, director of the Emergency Response and Preparedness Office at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Delaney, leads the NIOSH team focused on ensuring businesses understand the impact of seasonal flu and how they can play a role in lessening the spread of flu in the workplace. “It is important to remind employers every year that they can play an important role in preventing flu, helping to protect employees’ health and reducing losses in productivity and revenue,” says Delaney.

Dr. James C. Kile, public health veterinarian and lead of the Animal-Human Interface Team in CDC Influenza Division’s Epidemiology and Prevention Branch (EPB)

Meet Dr. James C. Kile, public health veterinarian and lead of the Animal-Human Interface Team in CDC Influenza Division’s Epidemiology and Prevention Branch (EPB). In support of influenza pandemic preparedness, Dr. Kile and his team focus on preventing the spread of influenza viruses from animals to people.

Dr. Rebecca Kondor, the lead of the Genomic Analysis Team in CDC Influenza Division’s Virology, Surveillance and Diagnosis Branch (VSDB)

Meet Rebecca Kondor, PhD, the lead of the Genomic Analysis Team of the Virology, Surveillance and Diagnosis Branch (VSDB) in the Influenza Division within CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD). Dr. Kondor has focused her efforts on expanding informatics and bioinformatics infrastructure and improving genomic analysis pipelines.

Ann Moen, MBA, former associate director for Preparedness and Response

Meet flu fighter Ann Moen, former associate director for Preparedness and Response in CDC’s Influenza Division (ID), who retired on December 31, 2022, after 39 years of federal service at CDC.

Kyung Park, MPH, a biologist on the Epidemic Virology and Vaccines team of the Virology, Surveillance, and Diagnosis Branch (VSDB)

Meet Kyung Park, MPH, a biologist on the Epidemic Virology and Vaccines team of the Virology, Surveillance, and Diagnosis Branch (VSDB) in CDC’s Influenza Division. Ms. Park works remotely doing data analysis and database management.

Catherine Smith, Research Microbiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Meet Catherine Smith, a research microbiologist in the Influenza Division at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Catherine graduated from Mount Union College (now the University of Mount Union) in 1984 with a degree in Biology.