Dr. Shane Fernando, PhD MS MBA CPPS
Meet Dr. Fernando
Strategic Clinical Epidemiologist |
Public Health Research Leader | Multi-Sector Collaborator
Dr. Shane Fernando brings a wealth of experience as a clinical epidemiologist, combining managerial expertise with a strong background in federal, nonprofit, and local grants and contracts. His innovative approaches and global perspective ensure that you receive the highest standard of research and insight into critical health issues on a local, national and global level.
About Dr. Shane Fernando
Dr. Shane Fernando joined the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNT Health Science Center) in 2014 as an Assistant Professor in Pediatrics. Since then, he has played a pivotal role in fostering collaborations within the university and with external organizations. As a primary clinical scientist in the Department of Pediatrics, he has managed numerous studies and served as a dedicated mentor to students. He previously served as the research director for the Pediatric Mobile Program, a "clinic-on-wheels" providing essential healthcare to low-income and uninsured pediatric populations in Tarrant County, Texas.
Dr. Fernando has extensive expertise in epidemiologic methods, survey design and validation, mixed-model analysis, and community and clinical engagement. He currently teaches medical students (DO) in Professional Identity and Health Systems Practice courses covering population health, public health, research, and biostatistics. Additionally, he instructs third-year DO students, helping them identify and prevent Child Abuse among patients. His contributions to public health research include addressing vaccination hesitancy, combatting medical misinformation, and enhancing clinical healthcare providers' understanding of novel technologies and techniques.
Dr. Fernando is deeply passionate about pediatric populations and vulnerable communities, with a strong focus on children with special healthcare needs. His extensive work with community nonprofit organizations has further solidified his commitment to health equity and improving access to care for underserved populations. He has collaborated with local and national groups to develop impactful interventions addressing pediatric health disparities, chronic disease prevention, and community health education.
In May 2023, Dr. Fernando joined Abt Global as a Senior Research Epidemiologist, and since was promoted to Science and Research Senior Manager in 2024. In this role, he provides technical expertise and conducts research for a range of public health initiatives. At Abt, he collaborates with CDC teams on critical public health projects, including the Nursing Home Public Health Response Network and the Track Post-COVID Conditions projects. His work involves leveraging epidemiologic methods, survey design, and community engagement to develop and deploy impactful research strategies. He is also experienced in translating research findings into literacy-appropriate content to ensure effective dissemination to varied audiences.
Beyond his work at Abt, Dr. Fernando has been instrumental in public health communication, making over 25 appearances in local and international media. His teaching innovations include developing a novel child abuse prevention course, and over the past decade, he has mentored hundreds of students. His past research includes leading county-level COVID-19 vaccination efforts for underserved pediatric communities in Texas and studying vaccine hesitancy among young adults.
Dr. Fernando also serves as a Board Member for Leukemia Texas, where he contributes his expertise in public health strategy, research, and community outreach to support initiatives benefiting patients and families affected by leukemia. His leadership in this role underscores his dedication to advancing healthcare access and improving health outcomes for at-risk populations.
A global citizen with experience across three continents, Dr. Fernando remains committed to advancing research excellence, mentoring future healthcare professionals, and improving patient outcomes through rigorous scientific inquiry and education. His dedication to health equity, inter-professional collaboration, and high research standards continues to drive his work in academia and applied public health research.