about
Advancing One Health science, zoonotic disease research, and global health policy through cutting-edge research, strategic policy development, and international collaboration.
Dr. Jonathan Epstein brings over two decades of expertise in infectious disease research, science communication, technical consultation, and policy development. His work spans field and laboratory research on high-consequence zoonotic viruses, strategic engagement with governments and international organizations, and public outreach to translate complex science into actionable policy. With extensive experience in fundraising, organizational leadership, project management, and academic mentorship, he provides a comprehensive approach to advancing One Health initiatives, strengthening disease surveillance systems, and shaping global health policy.
INFECTIOUS DISEASE RESEARCH
Dr. Epstein’s research focuses on the spillover of high-consequence zoonotic viruses—such as henipaviruses (Nipah), filoviruses (Ebola, Marburg), and zoonotic coronaviruses—from wildlife reservoirs to livestock and human populations, using One Health principles to inform policy and prevention strategies. Nipah virus spillover and emergence in Malaysia, Bangladesh, India; 2004: member of team that discovered bats as the reservoir for SARS CoV & other related coronaviruses; 2012 supported Government of Saudi Arabia in investigation of first MERS case, discovered MERS CoV.
TECHNICAL CONSULTATION & POLICY
Dr. Epstein regularly provides technical expertise to US and intergovernmental agencies including the National Wildlife Health Center, USDA, US CDC, US Fish & Wildlife Service, WHO, FAO, IUCN, and the Africa CDC. 2017: Testified before US Congress as an expert witness on wildlife trade and zoonotic disease emergence; 2021: developed One Health Support Unit for Government of India; 2020: partnered with Government of Bangladesh and US CDC to develop 1st One Health Outbreak Response Unit for Nipah virus; 2023: Dr. Epstein led the development of WHO’s Nipah virus surveillance strategy for the Southeast Asia Region; 2024-25: partnered with Africa CDC to strengthen connections between zoonotic disease research scientists and surveillance officials.
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
Dr. Epstein holds adjunct faculty appointments at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and Tufts School of Medicine, Harvard University, and the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University. He is a member of the Board of Advisors to the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts.
SCIENCE COMMUNICATION
Dr. Epstein’s work has been published in Science, Cell, PNAS, and Nature and other leading journals. He has extensive media experience and was featured on 60 Minutes, PBS, CNN, National geographic, and as a special contributor to various news programs, as well as in The New York Times, Wall St. Journal, and the books "Spillover" and "Breathless" by David Quammen. In 2017, Dr. Epstein served as the Chief Science Advisor to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History for its exhibit “Outbreak: Epidemics in a Connected World.”