DOM Staff Spotlight: Kyle Openo, DrPH, Director, Infectious Disease Program

This month’s DOM Staff Spotlight is Kyle P. Openo, DrPH, Director of the Infectious Diseases Program. Learn more about our colleague below!

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Tell us about yourself. Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Bay City, Michigan. After graduating, I attended Michigan State University, where I studied biochemistry. Then, I escaped the Midwest and moved to Atlanta in 1999. Initially, I did not plan to stay in Atlanta, but I met my beautiful wife, Kim. We continue to live in Atlanta and have built a life full of friends and laughter. As of this year, I have now lived in Georgia longer than I have lived in Michigan, which is still somehow surprising!

What is your professional background?
My path to becoming a public health epidemiologist was a somewhat circuitous route. Beginning in high school, I started working at Dow Chemical Company with a plan to be a chemical engineer. After working in the corporate environment for three years, I realized staying in it would not be a good fit for me. I transferred to Michigan State University to study biochemistry, where I was fortunate to work with Dr. John Wang, the first of several excellent mentors. While working in a biochemistry research training program after graduation, I recall a conversation where I said to him, “You have given me quite a bit of freedom to conduct research this past year.” Dr. Wang replied, “You had to figure out if you could do it (research). What do you think?” To which I replied, “Yes, I think I can.” Dr. Wang said, “Me too. Now you need to decide if you want to.” While I was not prepared for that statement, I certainly needed to hear it. Over the next few months, we discussed the aspects of research I found interesting and compelling, and he helped steer me toward epidemiology and Emory University.

Therefore, I moved to Atlanta to earn my Master of Public Health at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, where I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Jack Kinkaid, another excellent mentor. Since earning my MPH, I worked at the CDC’s Division of Viral Hepatitis for a couple of years before joining the Georgia Emerging Infections Program in 2006. In 2012, I returned to school at Georgia Southern University to earn my Doctor of Public Health in Public Health Leadership, training that has proven useful during the COVID-19 pandemic as our viral surveillance team and organization have grown substantially since 2020.

What is your role at Emory?
I serve as the Lead Investigator for the respiratory viral surveillance section of the Georgia Emerging Infections Program, a collaboration between the CDC, the Georgia Department of Public Health, and Emory University. We conduct surveillance for patients hospitalized with influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID).

How long have you worked in the Department of Medicine?
Officially, I began employment with the Department of Medicine on June 1, 2020, though our organization has had close ties with the Division of Infectious Diseases for years through our principal investigator, Monica Farley.

What are you currently working on? Any upcoming projects?

Our team will continue conducting surveillance for hospitalized cases of influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 during the upcoming season. Of special interest this year will be the uptake and effectiveness of the recently approved RSV vaccines and a new monoclonal antibody, nirsevimab. RSV vaccines are recommended for use in adults 60 years of age or older following discussion between patient and their provider.  Nirsevimab is recommended for all infants younger than eight months of age entering their first RSV season. It is also recommended for children 8–19 months of age with an increased risk of RSV infection, such as being immunocompromised.

What do you like to do for fun outside of work?

My wife and I enjoy dining at any of the wonderful restaurants in Atlanta, relaxing at the beach, and hanging around our home with our two cats, Cheddar and Smudge. I like to read fantasy and science fiction stories and butcher songs on guitar. My favorite hobby is playing role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons with friends. Often, I serve as the Dungeon Master, a challenging but thoroughly enjoyable role.