CTSA News

Amanda Irish, M.D., M.P.H., M.S., DTMH, has a passion for emerging infectious diseases. A passion that stemmed from somewhat untraditional beginnings: as a young adult Irish read “The Hot Zone” by Richard Preston, a nonfiction book about the origins of deadly viruses like Ebola and Marburg. Irish found herself transfixed by the biosafety lab doctors as they fought to contain dangerous infections. “I imagined myself treating fatally infected villagers in a hospital tent one day while analyzing new virus strains the next,” Irish shared.  

Understanding the threat of zoonotic influenza 

Irish is now living her dream, researching ways to prevent the next deadly zoonotic influenza before it starts. “We are working to identify effective blocking strategies that reduce viral spillover within modern livestock operations,” Irish explained. “Iowa is at the epicenter, as we are the nation's leading pork producer and first in egg production.”   

Zoonotic influenzas are diseases caused by animal-originated influenza A viruses, mainly avian or swine, that cross the species barrier to infection of humans. According to the National Institutes of Health, between 2003 and 2024, avian influenza, a zoonotic influenza transferred from birds, killed over 50% of infected humans. Zoonotic diseases are the originators of the three major pandemics of the 20th century which killed 50-100 million people.  

From the front lines to infectious disease prevention 

Irish’s research is not her first experience on the front lines. She served as a Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defense Specialist in the US Marines where she trained personnel to survive worst-case scenarios. “like the doctors in 'The Hot Zone,' I held the lives of thousands in my hands,” Irish stated.   

After her military service, Irish worked in Dr. Gregory Gray’s Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, conducting fieldwork around the world and at the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases. “Literally a dream come true,” Irish reflected.  During her emergency medicine residency at the height of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, “By day, I served on the frontline battling COVID-19 in the ED, and by night, I researched mitigation strategies to save lives.”   

A new model for infectious disease prevention 

Irish’s research combines mathematical modeling with real-world stakeholder input. Her team is developing the first comprehensive model that can simulate how influenza spreads between three interconnected groups: livestock (both swine and poultry), farm workers, and rural communities. This allows researchers to test prevention strategies virtually and rank their effectiveness without posing a risk to animal or human health. “We’re not just asking ‘what works?’— we’re also asking, ‘what will farmers actually adopt?’” Irish explained. By engaging workers, owners, and public health officials directly, we can develop recommendations that are both effective and realistic.” 

Irish’s research aims to directly protect Iowa’s agricultural workers, rural communities, and livestock while also recognizing and addressing the potential global threat. With Irish’s research, we can work to stop the spillover of viruses from animals to humans at the source, this work could prevent the next pandemic.