Deep roots, lasting connections

It only took a single lecture on epidemiology with associate professor Dr. Sheryl Gares to spark a fascination Stephanie Booth, ‘14 BSc, ’17 MPH, didn’t know she had. That brief introduction to this unique discipline eventually led her into a career tackling infectious diseases.

Looking back, that pivotal moment was a classic product of an Augustana education: an environment where broad curiosity is encouraged, and where foundational science meets a well-rounded, humanitarian perspective on the world.

Like many students, Booth chose Augustana because of its smaller class sizes and tight-knit community. When choosing her academic path, she proved that science and art can go hand in hand, opting for a biology major paired with a drama minor.

As a student, Booth split her time between scientific experiments, late-night theatre rehearsals and building community through clubs like the Augustana Science Club and Augustana Queers and Allies, both offered by Augustana Students’ Association. Community Service-Learning courses and volunteer experiences helped to solidify her interest in a career path that required creative problem-solving and people-focused work, ultimately pointing her toward public health.

Currently working as an infectious disease epidemiologist for the Government of Alberta, Booth examines the spread of diseases, primarily sexually transmitted and blood borne infections among Albertans. “I look at trends in infection, try to understand any patterns, evaluate and assess tools we have that may reduce disease burden, and figure out how to communicate this to both the public and decision-makers,” she explains. “Every day is a little bit different, and I like that I am constantly learning new things.”

Booth credits her strong foundation in both the natural sciences and liberal arts for equipping her with a well-rounded perspective that she continues to draw on in both her professional and personal life. “Being able to see the bigger picture, connect the dots and reflect on my own place in the scheme of things are the fruits of an Augustana education.”

In her ten years in public health, Booth has helped to shape Alberta’s opioid harm reduction policy, researched vaccine effectiveness and developed training for epidemiologists that focus on 2SLGBTQ+ identities and data. In a previous role as a field epidemiologist with the Public Health Agency of Canada, based out of Kelowna, BC, she was able to travel across the country to support local outbreak responses — including tuberculosis efforts in Nunavut — and internationally to Brazil to share HIV research. For Booth, the thrill of epidemiology lies in its interdisciplinary nature — a blend of biology, math, sociology and psychology.

Even though she left Camrose more than a decade ago, Booth’s bond with Augustana remains as strong as ever — a connection she has nurtured during her four years as an Alumni Council Representative, as a mentor at Augustana’s annual Networking Night and as a reassuring alumni voice at Augustana convocation ceremonies.

“I have found that it’s important to speak to the experience of students who sometimes feel a bit alienated and disconnected from the larger U of A community,” she says. “I also try to give voice to what it’s like to be a more recent graduate, knowing that it can be downright scary to go from a very structured, safe environment like Augustana into a difficult job market — but that it is okay not to know what you are doing, and that they will figure it out along the way.”

During her time as an alumni council member, Booth sat on the committee that provides nominees for the Augustana Alumni Awards. In a secret meeting sneakily convened without her knowledge, her fellow committee members decided the real star of the show was sitting right at their table, nominating her for the Lois Aspenes Award for her extraordinary contributions to the Alumni Association and to the broader Augustana community.

“It’s an honour and a humbling experience,” she says. “Knowing the outstanding alumni who have been recognized before me makes this recognition especially meaningful.”

“My experiences at Augustana — the education, the place and the people — shaped who I am as both a scientist and as a person in the world,” she says. “It had a lasting impact on me, and I feel fortunate to have remained involved in supporting students, other alumni and Augustana's overall mission and purpose,” she says. “Even though I left Camrose more than a decade ago, I hope my experience shows that meaningful contributions to Augustana can come from many places and take many different forms.”

The Lois Aspenes Award is presented to an Augustana alumnus/a in recognition of significant contributions to the Alumni Association or to the life of Augustana.