Dr. Michael Becker currently works as a research scientist at the Public Health Agency of Canada. His research program explores diagnostics for SARS-CoV-2 and sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBIs), with a focus on deploying, evaluating, and developing rapid or point-of-care tests. This work strives to support Northern, Remote, and Isolated (NRI) communities by developing solutions to overcome barriers to diagnostic testing and effective healthcare, with the ultimate goal of reaching the undiagnosed and supporting underserved populations. Dr. Becker’s team also explores the use of innovative approaches that may improve the health of NRI communities and underserved populations. This includes the use of wastewater surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 and STBBIs in remote settings. This work is in collaboration with the National Wastewater Surveillance Laboratory and provides an early warning system for disease outbreaks and can monitor overall population health to inform public health action and outreach initiatives.
