When science and civil service collide: a KSU epidemiologist’s pandemic perspective.
After more than two years of a global pandemic, most everyone knows what an epidemiologist does. Alexander (Alex) Evans, BBA ’14, BS ’14, MBA ’15, M.GISc ’19, an epidemiologist at Franklin County Public Health, spent the first 18 months of the pandemic on call, working seven-day, 60-hour weeks on its COVID-19 response. This experience was shared by many health professionals, and with tireless work came burnout. Now, as many are leaving the field, Alex is undeterred. The public health profession combines Alex’s passion for the sciences with civil service, allowing him to do what he loves while serving his community. Kent State’s College of Public Health was established shortly before he arrived on campus, and he liked his introductory courses so much that he decided to pursue public health as a degree instead of the minor as he had planned. KSU faculty inspired him to continue his education with advanced degrees in public health and related fields, and now with four degrees from Kent State, a Master of Public Health from Emory University and as a current Ph.D. candidate at The Ohio State University, he has certainly heeded their advice. But most of all, Alex is inspired to continue his pursuit of higher education because of the people he’s met along the way and the experiences he would not have had otherwise.
KSU: What is your idea of perfect happiness?
AE: Simple things like quality time with friends and family I love the most, walks with my dogs, and free time to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee.
KSU: What is your favorite trait in others?
AE: Curiosity and conscientiousness.
KSU: What trait about yourself do you like least?
AE: I have trouble saying “no” when asked to get involved with new projects.
KSU: Who has had the greatest influence on your life?
AE: My grandmother. She impressed upon me from an early age the importance of family, education and hard work.
KSU: What is your favorite Kent State memory?
AE: There’s no way to pick just one… Playing basketball with my dad at the rec center, Monday nights at the former Williamson Alumni Center with the Student Ambassadors, traveling to Mobile, Alabama, for the 2012 GoDaddy.com Bowl game and Geneva, Switzerland, for the World Health Assembly.
KSU: What is your favorite journey?
AE: After graduation, a few friends and I went camping in Iceland. We drove all 825 miles around the Ring Road in two weeks.
KSU: What is your guilty pleasure?
AE: Losing an afternoon in a good book.
KSU: What do you consider your greatest achievement?
AE: Getting to the point in my career where I can start giving back and mentoring the next generation of public health students.
KSU: If you could come back as one person, who would it be and why?
AE: David Hosack or another scientist from his time.
KSU: What part of your college experience most formed who you are today?
AE: Meeting so many great people along the way: tailgates and late nights on the fourth floor of the University Library with friends; learning from and working with faculty and staff across the university; connecting with alumni in my field; and meeting my soon-to-be wife. My Honors College experience was also quite formative.