Heather believes infectious diseases are best understood as systems challenges rather than isolated public health events. Her work explores how biological risk propagates through institutions, infrastructure, economies, governance, and public trust, translating complex scientific evidence into practical insight for leaders navigating uncertainty.

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With more than twenty years of experience spanning high-containment research, academic medicine, and executive scientific communications, Heather specializes in translating complex biomedical science into clear strategic insight for institutional leaders. Her work has included advising research and clinical leadership on scientific positioning, funding strategy, emerging infectious diseases, vaccines, and high-stakes communications during periods of policy change and public scrutiny.

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Heather trained as a virologist with expertise in emerging viral diseases and their pathogenesis. She conducted research in Biosafety Level 4 laboratories and became the first graduate student to conduct research in a BSL-4 facility in the United States. During her doctoral training she received competitive biodefense fellowships supporting research on highly pathogenic viruses before transitioning into scientific writing and strategic research development.

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Her current work examines biological disruption as a systems challenge rather than solely a public health problem. She is particularly interested in the cascading effects infectious diseases have on workforce continuity, governance, infrastructure, economic stability, and institutional trust, as well as the role of scientific communication in strengthening resilience before crises emerge.

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Heather is also the creator and host of Infectious Dose, an educational podcast exploring infectious diseases, vaccines, outbreak history, and the science behind biological risk through long-form narrative storytelling. Her writing has appeared in The Conversation, Global Biodefense, and other science publications.

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Originally trained as a musician before pursuing molecular and cell biology, Heather continues to draw on principles of structure, pattern recognition, and storytelling in her scientific work. Alongside her professional interests, she writes fiction, poetry, and music.