Lowe, John-Martin

Lowe begins his interview by describing his background, education and career inspiration. He discusses his early mentors and career beginnings in the College of Public Health with preparedness training and teaching. He details the scope of the Department of Environmental, Agricultural, and Occupational Health and his responsibilities as chair. He details his role as the director of the Global Center for Health Security, the evolution of its leadership, scope of the center including the NBU and NQU, and an overview of its partnerships. He details his roles as the director of the NBU and NQU and as assistant vice chancellor for health security training and education including coordinating academic programs and professional training and creating the clinical fellowship in health security. He details his role with NETEC and its establishment. Lowe discusses balancing professional responsibilities and leadership, his current mentors and notable colleagues, and the evolution of his research interests into epidemiology. He reflects on teaching and his teaching philosophy as well as advice he would give to students and colleagues. He describes research efforts in decontamination prior to the Ebola outbreak and research partnerships. He describes community interaction, internal concerns, and using live pathogens for research. He details specific research in decontamination with UV light and paint and his early involvement with the NBU planning transportation with the Omaha Fire Department. Lowe reflects on notification and activation of the NBU, his role and responsibilities, and decontamination research after activation. He describes sharing research and collaboration as well as media interaction and community support. He discusses deactivation, his responsibilities with decontamination, and national and international training with NETEC. Lowe reflects on the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic while he was travelling, his initial transportation responsibilities, and utilizing the NQU. He describes the evolution of staff into consultants for the hospital and wider community He reflects on the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for media training and public trust. He details the impact the pandemic had on him personally and professionally, dealing with misinformation, and his role with mpox at UNMC. He describes the U.S. Air Force partnership to create C-STARS. Lowe concludes his interview by reflecting on his successes, disappointments, moments of learning, awards he has received, and advice for future professionals.