E. Claire Newbern, PhD, MPH

Philadelphia Department of Public Health
Division of Disease Control
500 S. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA
USA 19146
claire.newbern@phila.gov

Biographical Sketch:
3/08 – Current Manager – Epidemiology Unit – Division of Disease Control, Philadelphia Department of Public HealthManage staff of epidemiologists, who support the Division program areas (Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Immunizations, Public Health Preparedness, Immunizations, and Acute Communicable Diseases). Work with Division Director and other program managers to set research and analytic objectives for the Division. Serve as the project manager for the implementation of a new data management system for 2 program areas. Perform and present epidemiological analyses. 7/05 – 2/08 Senior Epidemiologist – Epidemiology – Regulatory, Safety, and Epidemiology, GlaxoSmithKline BiologicalsManage epidemiological investigations on vaccine related issues including development of company led studies, review of epidemiological study proposals from external and internal researchers, and contribution to departmental processes. Specialization in safety epidemiology including signal detection (disproportionality analysis) and postmarketing safety study development. 8/04 – 5/05 Surveillance Epidemiologist – Acute Communicable Disease Program – Division of Disease Control, Philadelphia Department of Public HealthMonitor communicable disease reports and investigate disease clusters including coordination with other program areas and federal, state, and local agencies. Develop guidelines, standard operating procedures, and other written documents (health alerts, manuscripts, grants). Perform needed research. Supervise Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer (EISO) and support other ACD staff. 2/04 – 7/04 STOP Polio Team Data Manager (Egypt) – Global Immunizations Division – National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and PreventionEvaluate existing electronic acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance system. Develop new data management tools including programs for cleaning and analysis, and databases for supplemental immunization activities (SIA) and environmental surveillance. Train Egyptian data manager and other Ministry of Health staff. 7/02 – 6/04 Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer (EISO) – Epidemiology Program Office – Centers for Disease Control and PreventionManage and conduct outbreak investigations, perform epidemiologic research in multiple program areas (acute communicable diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, immunizations, syndromic surveillance, bioterrorism), respond to public health emergencies (SARS, monkeypox) 7/99 – 6/02 Part time Contract Epidemiologic Researcher – Worldwide Epidemiology Department, GlaxoSmithKlineReview of literature, background research, and development of study protocols 9/96 – 5/98 Research Assistant – Department of Epidemiology University of MichiganRecruit participants, collect and process clinical specimens, data entry and cleaning, and recruiter training PUBLICATIONS Van Effelterre T, Soriano-Gabarró M, Debrus S, Newbern C, Gray J. A mathematical model indicates the potential for substantial reduction in rotavirus disease through direct and indirect herd protection effects after vaccination. In preparation. Saez Llorenz X, Velazquez R, Lopez P, Espinoza F, Linhares A, Abate H, Nuńez E, Venegas G, Vergara R, Jimenez A, Rivera M, Aranza C, Richardson V, Macias-Parra M, Ruiz Palacios G, Rivera L, Ortega-Barria E, Cervantes Y, Rüttiman R, Acosta CJ, Newbern C, Verstraeten T, Breuer. A multi-country study of intussusception in children under 2 years of age in Latin America. In preparation. Jesus Tejada M, Rosario J, Costes M, Tejada N, Chandrashekar VV, Newbern C, Acosta CJ, Breuer T. Burden of rotavirus gastroenteritis among young children aged <3 years in the Dominican Republic. In preparation. Asbel L, Newbern EC, Salmon M, Spain CV, Goldberg M. Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae among Philadelphia high school students participating in a school based screening program. STD. 2006. 33(10): 614-20. Lewis FMT, Chernak E, Goldman E, LI Y, Karem K, Damon IK, Henkel R, Newbern EC, Ross P, Johnson CC. Ocular Vaccinia Infection in a Laboratory Worker – Philadelphia, 2004. EID. 2006. 12(1): 134-7. Gottlieb S, Newbern EC, et al. Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Turkey Deli Meat and Subsequent Changes in United States Regulatory Policy. CID. 2006: 42(1):29-36. Fisman D, Johnson CC, Mittleman M, Spain CV, Maher J, Britz P, Lim S, Gaskins M, Newbern C. It's not the heat, it's the humidity: wet weather increases legionellosis risk in the greater Philadelphia metropolitan area. JID. 2005: 192(12):2066-73. Joseph C, Mshar P, Oravetz C, Fix A, Genese CA, Weant B, Jenkins P, Baker N, Newbern C, Kim D, Guerra M, Moore M, Thigpen M. Cruise ship-associated Legionnaires’ disease – November 2003 to May 2004. MMWR. 2005. 54: 1153.