Excellence in Epidemiology 2026
Outstanding Staff: John Paulson
We are thrilled to share that John Paulson, a member of the Student Academic Services (SAS) team in the Department of Epidemiology, has been recognized with the Outstanding Staff Award. John is a trusted and steadying presence for students, faculty, and colleagues alike, known for his deep knowledge of program requirements and his genuine commitment to making every person he works with feel heard and supported.
John approaches every interaction, whether navigating complex admissions processes or answering a student’s late-night question about degree requirements, with patience, empathy, and care. Nominators described him as a “stabilizing force” with a clear “student-first mindset,” and his record-setting 26 individual nominations speak to the breadth and depth of his impact across the Epi community.
John’s Outstanding Staff recognition also advances him as the Department’s nominee for the SPH Anderson-O’Connell Staff Award. Congratulations, John — thank you for the countless ways you show up for this community every day.
Outstanding Master’s Student: Audrey Hersman
We are proud to recognize Audrey Hersman, an MPH student in Epidemiology, with the Outstanding Master’s Student Award. Audrey has distinguished herself through thoughtful, rigorous work that bridges epidemiologic research and global health practice, with a particular focus on infectious diseases and evidence-informed public health decision-making.
As a graduate research assistant with the UW START Center, Audrey supports Gates Foundation initiatives through systematic reviews, quantitative analysis, and product valuation modeling. Prior to joining UW, she worked with PATH’s Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases program, contributing to operational research and implementation projects across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Her experience spans HIV, malaria, neglected tropical diseases, and respiratory infections, reflecting both the breadth of her expertise and her deep commitment to improving health outcomes globally.
Audrey’s collaborative spirit, analytical rigor, and dedication to public health have already made a meaningful impact on the field. Congratulations, Audrey, on this well-deserved recognition!
Outstanding Doctoral Student: Nicole Asa
Congratulations to Nicole Asa, PhD candidate in the Department of Epidemiology, on being named the Outstanding Doctoral Student. Nicole’s research reflects a deep commitment to injury prevention and public health policy, with a particular focus on firearm violence and its impacts on communities.
Her dissertation examines the effects of Extreme Risk Protection Orders in Washington State, including who is most affected by these orders, geographic variation in their use, and how receiving an order may shape future interactions with the criminal legal system. In addition to this work, Nicole has contributed important research exploring the impacts of vacant lot greening on violence and the relationship between the Earned Income Tax Credit and firearm suicide.
Through careful, policy-relevant research and a strong commitment to advancing prevention efforts, Nicole is helping build a stronger evidence base for addressing some of today’s most pressing public health challenges. Congratulations, Nicole, on this outstanding achievement!