Growing up in Tok, Alaska, a town of fewer than 1,000 people, Dr. Jeremy Corrigan never imagined his path would lead him to national recognition as a public health leader. Today, the (COPH) alumnus serves as laboratory director for the San Diego County Public Health Laboratory and is the recipient of the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) LEAD Award, honoring his leadership, advocacy and commitment to strengthening the public health workforce.
Corrigan's journey began far from the major public health laboratories he leads today. Growing up alongside his two sisters and brother, he was raised in one of the coldest places in the country where self-reliance was part of everyday life. His childhood was spent hunting, trapping, fishing and cutting wood, experiences that shaped his appreciation for community and resilience.
Corrigan moved to California and earned an associate degree in general studies from College of the Redwoods and a bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from Humboldt State University. A summer volunteer experience in Cape Town, South Africa, changed the direction of his career.
"I learned that I didn't like dealing with sick people," Corrigan said. "But the diseases that make people sick fascinated me."
When he returned to the United States, Corrigan accepted a laboratory assistant position at the Humboldt County Public Health Laboratory. That first role introduced him to the field of public health laboratory science, where he found the combination of science, problem-solving and community impact that would define his career.
Jeremy Corrigan working in the Humboldt County Public Health Laboratory in Eureka, Calif. (Photo courtesy of Jeremy Corrigan)
Over the next several years, Corrigan advanced from laboratory assistant to public health microbiologist and laboratory manager while continuing his education. He earned a master's degree in biology from Humboldt State University and spent more than a decade building experience in laboratory operations and leadership.
As his responsibilities grew, Corrigan recognized that advancing to the role of laboratory director required a doctoral degree.
"I had essentially been doing the job as a lab manager for 10 years, but I needed the degree to continue advancing my career," he said.
That goal brought him to the COPH, where he enrolled in the .
Designed for working laboratory professionals, Corrigan said the program allowed him to continue his career while gaining the leadership and public health expertise needed for the next stage of his career. He became part of the program's inaugural cohort and completed his degree in 2021.
"Finishing this during COVID-19 and being the first graduate from this new cohort and program is something I'll always be proud of," Corrigan said.
Before COVID, we usually would do 200-300 assays [a lab test] in a year. In four months, we completed 5,000. Thats insane for our tiny lab, he said. We were getting invaded by coronavirus and were strictly doing COVID all day, every day."
Corrigan (far back left) and his staff during COVID. (Photo courtesy of Corrigan)
Although much of his coursework took place remotely, Corrigan valued the opportunity to travel to USF for weeklong institutes, where he connected with classmates and built relationships with his cohort.
He also credits , concentration lead and , with inspiring him throughout his doctoral experience.
"The COPH was great and I am so thankful for this program," Corrigan said. "It changed my life."
After earning his DrPH, Corrigan continued advancing his career and accepted the position of laboratory director for the San Diego County Public Health Laboratory. The move allowed him to lead a larger laboratory system and have an even greater community impact.
"I wanted to be where more action was and where I could have a bigger community impact," he said.
Shortly after beginning his role in San Diego, Corrigan faced one of the greatest leadership challenges of his career. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, critical infrastructure failures forced the laboratory to evacuate and activate emergency continuity operations. Under unprecedented circumstances, Corrigan prioritized staff safety while coordinating with local, state and federal partners to ensure essential public health testing continued.
In my role I led the development of a new 52,000-square-foot public health laboratory designed by laboratorians for laboratorians, he said. The facility expands genomic epidemiology and One Health programs, strengthens wastewater surveillance efforts and includes a dedicated training laboratory to support future public health laboratory professionals.
Building the new stands as Corrigan's proudest professional achievement.
Jeremy Corrigan (center) at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new San Diego County Public Health Laboratory. (Photo courtesy of LinkedIn)
This laboratory is a proactive investment in the next outbreak, the next threat and the next generation of public health professionals, Corrigan said while . Every square foot of this space was planned with purpose. Our team helped guide the design of workflows biosafety protocols and a functional lab space that ensures we werent just restoring capacity, we were building for the future.
Today, Corrigan oversees daily operations, a $25 million budget and a team responsible for responding to some of the nation's most complex public health challenges. His laboratory's work can include rabies testing, anthrax investigations, measles outbreak response, H5N1 consultations and mpox surveillance.
"I can see rabies, anthrax, a measles outbreak, an H5N1 consult and mpox all in the same day," he said.
Beyond laboratory operations, Corrigan is committed to developing the next generation of public health leaders. That dedication to leadership, innovation and workforce development earned him the APHL LEAD Award, recognizing individuals who exemplify the qualities of a leader, encourager, advocate and developer.
(Photo courtesy of Corrigan)
Through mentorship, workforce development and involvement with APHL initiatives, Corrigan continues to support emerging laboratory professionals and encourage others to pursue leadership opportunities.
In his free time, Corrigan plays poker and plans to play full time in his retirement. (Photo courtesy of Corrigan)
Fast Five
What did you dream of becoming when you were young?
A professional baseball player and medical doctor.
Where would we find you on the weekend?
On the felt, playing tournament poker. Its my passion and as soon as I retire, Ill play full time.
What is the last book you read?
Information Sick by Joanne Kenen, Lymari Morales and Joshua Sharfstein
What superpower would you like to have?
I want to fly, definitely!
Whats your all-time favorite movie?
Dumb and Dumber