Sean Edgerton
Being a Public Scholar means working at the intersection of science and society, and how academic institutions can be more integrated into the surrounding community. For me, it is about taking complex ideas in virus evolution and One Health and translating them into forms that are engaging, accessible and meaningful to broader communities. It means using my training not only to advance academic knowledge, but to create connections — between science and art, between research and public dialogue and between the microscopic world of viruses and the larger ecosystems and societies they impact.
Research description
What does being a Public Scholar mean?
Being a Public Scholar means working at the intersection of science and society, and how academic institutions can be more integrated into the surrounding community. For me, it is about taking complex ideas in virus evolution and One Health and translating them into forms that are engaging, accessible and meaningful to broader communities. It means using my training not only to advance academic knowledge, but to create connections — between science and art, between research and public dialogue and between the microscopic world of viruses and the larger ecosystems and societies they impact.
In what ways do you think the PhD experience can be re-imagined with this Initiative?
The Public Scholars Initiative reimagines the PhD by showing that scholarship doesn’t have to remain within the confines of siloed academic institutions. It encourages projects that bring research to life through community partnerships, connections through the various modes of storytelling, public engagement and trust. For me, that means sharing with the communities that help to support us and expanding my work on genomics and evolution into public-facing outputs that allow people to see the links between detailed molecular processes and big-picture questions of health, conservation and climate change.
How do you envision connecting your PhD work with broader career possibilities?
My PhD prepares me for careers that connect science with public impact. By combining bioinformatics and evolutionary biology with skills in visual storytelling and public engagement, I can contribute in multiple settings, whether in academic research, science communication, museums, conservation organizations or public health. I envision a career where I am not only generating data and publishing research but also helping people interpret and act on it. Just as one learns to critique and interpret artwork, I want to foster that same critical skillset for scientific data, empowering others to better understand research, ask questions and recognize misinformation in an era of growing “infodemics.”
How does your research engage with the larger community and social partners?
My research engages with communities by addressing issues that affect both ecosystems and people: zoonotic spillover, wildlife health and pandemic preparedness. At the same time, I create visual and narrative tools that help translate these findings for educators, conservation partners, and museum audiences. This dual approach ensures my work isn’t only about producing scientific knowledge but also about building shared understanding with those outside the lab.
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
I decided to pursue a graduate degree to study One Health and virus evolution in various biological and ecological systems; previously studying mosquito-borne viruses, I was curious how viruses evolved and interacted with their hosts and with the larger ecosystem in which they reside. In doing so, I also wanted to address the rise of misinformation during COVID-19 by developing new ways to make science clearer, creative and accessible to the public. A PhD gives me the space to ask complex questions about virus evolution and biodiversity, while also developing skills to connect those insights to public health, conservation and education. It allows me to merge research with creativity and engagement, which has always been central to how I approach science.
