Julia Hofkes

As multilingual medical information specialist, I worked in the context of a large CRO in providing relevant and timely information to health care professionals and patients. My role involved an extensive training process on the functioning of a CRO. In my daily activities I engaged directly with customers, both via the phone and by preparing and answering correspondence. My role involved answering medical questions by compiling information from various sources and relaying them to the requester in an appropriate, timely and costumer-friendly manner.

As the only epidemiologist and analyst for the Grampians Local Public Health Unit, my responsibilities included daily reporting of infectious disease incidence in the region as well as maintaining and developing reporting systems for epidemiological briefings. As the COVID-19 pandemic was stabilizing, I worked on retrospective analyses to quantify the public health benefit of the COVID-19 management and contact tracing in the Grampians region. Additionally, I worked independently across a variety of public health analysis projects with a regional focus. Compiling data from multiple sources, I analyzed the health status of the Grampians region to identify demographic and geographic health inequities and potential targets for public health action. Topics of these projects included mortality and morbidity by region over time, cardiovascular health and indigenous health.

Responsibilities as Pod Lead were focused on overseeing daily operations of the Epidemiology Operations team. In addition to coordinating daily work, I oversaw training of new staff members, worked on process changes, engaged with internal and external stakeholders, coordinated epidemiological support for Local Public Health Units, and led my team through challenging circumstances. As Pod Lead, I also served as a technical lead on epidemiology and reporting. In that capacity I oversaw end of day reporting and worked closely with Deputy Chief Health Officers and other intelligence teams, I addressed and oversaw data requests and coordinated analyses and lastly I initiated and participated in peer discussions between epidemiologists working on the COVID-19 response in Victoria.

I worked as a Senior Epidemiologist for the Epidemiology and Analysis team of the Intelligence division of the Department of Health COVID response. In addition to work activities as an Epidemiologist (outlined in the position description below), I trained new epidemiologists, coordinated analysis projects, collaborated with external stakeholders, including working embedded with Local Public Health Units. Additionally, I worked in the role of team leader when required, providing technical oversight to a team of epidemiologists and coordinating team activities across shifts.

I worked as an Epidemiologist in the Epidemiology and Analytics Team of the Intelligence division of the Department of Health COVID response. We provided epidemiological support and advice across different divisions of the COVID response and collaborated closely with Case and Contact and Outbreak Management teams. We conducted investigations and analyses of cases and transmission dynamics between clusters. We maintained situational awareness of the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation in the state of Victoria.

I worked on a research project for the department of Cancer Health Services Research at the University of Melbourne. I conducted a scoping review of clinical utility and health economic evidence for biomarker tests used for risk stratification in prostate cancer.

Student-Assistant for module "Women and Population Health", part of half minor Global Health. Collaborated thoroughly with the module's coordinators. Answered questions of students and guest speakers. Arranged administration for the module. Wrote the coursebook. Contributed to content of lectures and work groups.