Jessica Taaffe

Dr. Jessica Taaffe is on a mission to advance global health through science. A PhD microbiologist, she works with researchers and policymakers to interpret, communicate, and apply scientific evidence to global health programs. Dr. Taaffe has worked at the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, researching malaria in monkeys; as a World Bank, providing evidence on how to improve HIV programs to global policymakers; and she has written high-level reports for the United Nations and WHO on HIV and current pandemic viruses. Dr. Taaffe is passionate about strengthening the scientific community's voice on public platforms. She shares her knowledge through social media and has been featured in popular podcasts. She was a science expert and host of the YouTube show This Week in Global Health, and her opinion pieces have been published in leading science and health media outlets such as PLoS Blogs and Global Health Now. In 2019 she was selected as a American Association for the Advancement of Sciences IF/THEN Ambassador to serve as a high-profile STEM role model for young girls, and she has been featured on Future-ish's Top 10 Stylish Scientists - Women list since 2016. Dr. Taaffe lives in Washington, DC with her husband, White Swiss Shepherd, and two cats. A classically trained soprano, she sings with the St. Matthew's Cathedral Schola, often rocks a bold red lip, and owns a lot of hats.