Maine Voices Live with Dr. Nirav Shah

Dr. Nirav D. Shah is an epidemiologist, economist, and attorney and a widely respected public health official known for his leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic and his ability to communicate complex scientific information with clarity and compassion.

Shah most recently served as principal deputy director and acting director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as acting administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. He joined the federal CDC in 2023, following his tenure as director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, where he became a trusted public figure through his steady and transparent communication during the pandemic.

Before leading the Maine CDC, Shah worked at the Ministry of Health of Cambodia where he assisted with outbreak investigations and aided the country’s responses to SARS and avian influenza. He also was the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health and held a teaching appointment at the University of Chicago.

Born and raised in Wisconsin, Shah earned a B.S. in biology from the University of Louisville and studied economics at Oxford University. He holds both a J.D. and an M.D. from the University of Chicago.

In 2022, Shah was awarded an honorary doctoral degree by Colby College, where he currently holds a visiting professorship and contributes to the development of its public health program.