Staff Bio
Megin Nichols, DVM, MPH, DACVPM
Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases
Megin Nichols, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, is the acting director of the Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases in CDC’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases.
Role at CDC
Dr. Nichols is currently the acting director of NCEZID's Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases (DFWED). Since July 2022, she has had the privilege of serving as the deputy director of DFWED.
From 2008 to 2010, she joined CDC as an Epidemiologic Intelligence Service (EIS) Officer with the New Mexico Department of Health. She then worked as the Principal Investigator of the Active Bacterial Core Surveillance Program at the New Mexico Department of Health for 5 years, before joining DFWED in 2015 as the Enteric Zoonoses Activity Lead. During that time, she led investigations for numerous multistate illness outbreaks of Salmonella and E. coli resulting from exposure to animals and pets.
Achievements
Dr. Nichols is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Prevention (ACVPM). She has received several accolades for her work responding to emergency responses at CDC, most recently in June 2024 receiving the prestigious "CDC Director's Award for Values in Action" for inspiring leadership in extraordinary times, building strategic vision, and planning across the division and agency. Additionally, she has authored or co-authored numerous scientific journal articles and book chapters on food safety and One Health.
Education
Dr. Nichols graduated from New Mexico State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science prior to receiving her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Colorado State University. In addition, she holds a master's in public health in food safety and biosecurity from University of Minnesota.