Teenagers are a mystery, though slightly less so to Zewditu Demissie (’02).
Demissie is the associate director for science in the Division of Birth Defects and Infant Disorders as well as acting associate director for Science of the Public Health Infrastructure Center at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In a previous role, she spent a decade studying teen risk behaviors as a part of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS). YRBSS tracks key health risks among U.S. high school students. Demissie led and served as guest editor for the 2019 YRBSS surveillance report release, which is used by parents, school systems, nonprofits, and health departments to create policies at schools that support healthy learning environments.
“It was the most defining moment of my career,” she says.
That is saying something for the 16-year CDC veteran. Across several CDC positions, she has reviewed scores of scientific proposals and documents to ensure they meet research, regulatory, and ethical standards and maintain scientific integrity. She has also authored more than 60 scientific publications.
“My career at the CDC has given me the chance to work across topics and study so many areas: violence prevention, birth defects, infant disorders, physical activity, nutrition,” she says. “I have loved that opportunity.”
Similar to her experience at the CDC, her time at Iowa State University was full of exploration and creating a unique path for herself. As a National Achievement Scholar, Demissie built her undergraduate career melding interests in psychology, biological sciences, and research. She chose Iowa State in part because her father, a University of Iowa graduate, loved his time in the state and spoke highly about the Iowa State campus.
“Everyone was so friendly and kind,” she recalls of her college visit. Campus proved big enough to offer research opportunities, yet small enough that she could be in student government, serve as a resident advisor, and compete in Yell Like Hell at Homecoming.
“If you would have known me as a child, you would have thought that I would have stayed in Champaign (Illinois), my hometown,” Demissie says. “Going away to school at Iowa State was the best decision of my life.”
