Justinian Wurtzel

Justinian Wurtzel

Epidemiologist | Viral Hepatitis Surveillance Coordinator

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services

Biography

A compassionate scientist with seven years of public health experience at local, tribal, and state service levels with a decade of professional scientific work in chemistry, research, and epidemiology. An analytically and evidentially driven epidemiologist providing coordination and consultation over state-level initiatives to improve health, passionate about incorporating health equity in modern public health praxis.

Interests
  • HIV, STIs, and viral hepatitis
  • Alcohol-related disparities
  • People who inject drugs
  • Sexual and gender minority health
  • Public health security
  • AI/ML methods and tools
Education
  • DrPH, Epidemiology, 2026 - Present

    University of Nebraska Medical Center

  • MPH, Public Health Administration and Policy, 2025

    Des Moines University

  • MSc, Epidemiology, 2019

    University of Guelph

  • BA, Biochemistry, 2014

    University of Northern Iowa

Experiences

 
 
 
 
 
Viral Hepatitis Surveillance Coordinator
August 2021 – Present Des Moines, Iowa United States
 
 
 
 
 
Public Health Epidemiologist
July 2019 – August 2021 Sioux Lookout, Ontario Canada
 
 
 
 
 
Data Clerk
September 2018 – July 2019 Guelph, Ontario Canada
 
 
 
 
 
Laboratory Manager
Northland Technical Laboratories
August 2014 – January 2018 Toronto, Ontario Canada
 
 
 
 
 
Associate Scientist
Northland Products Company
August 2012 – May 2014 Waterloo, Iowa United States

Awards

 
 
 
 
 
Distinguished Achievement Award
Des Moines University
May 2026
 
 
 
 
 
Special Recognition Award
Des Moines University
May 2026
 
 
 
 
 
PS21-2103 Integrated Viral Hepatitis Surveillance and Prevention Funding for Health Departments
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
May 2021
 
 
 
 
 
Outstanding Student Chapter Award
American Chemical Society
January 2014 – May 2014
 
 
 
 
 
Research Grant
University of Northern Iowa
May 2013 – August 2013
 
 
 
 
 
Best College LGBT Group Award
Iowa Pride Network
January 2013 – May 2013
 
 
 
 
 
ACS Travel Award
American Chemical Society
May 2011
 
 
 
 
 
Student Opportunities for Academic Research (SOAR) Grant
University of Northern Iowa
November 2010
 
 
 
 
 
Undergraduate Research Scholarship
University of Northern Iowa
August 2010 – May 2011
 
 
 
 
 
Entrance Scholarship
University of Northern Iowa
August 2010 – May 2014

Tools

 
 
 
 
 
Syndromic Surveillance for Outbreak Detection
July 2024 – Present
 
 
 
 
 
Viral Hepatitis Classification Tool
July 2024 – Present
 
 
 
 
 
Syphilis Classification Tool, In Progress
July 2024 – Present

Gallery

Contact

For research collaborations or contract analysis work please fill out the form below.