Introducing the Pandemic & Epidemic Threat Analysis Lab (PETAL) @ UC Berkeley

By cwhittaker @ 2025-09-04T20:06 (+23)

Hi folks! I’m Charlie Whittaker (long time reader, first time poster), recently arrived in the Bay Area as an Assistant Professor of Infectious Diseases & Vaccinology at UC Berkeley, where I lead the Pandemic & Epidemic Threat Analysis Lab (PETAL). Writing here to introduce myself, the group and the work we do! 

I’m new to the Bay Area and keen to meet folks interested in biosecurity, pandemic preparedness, AIxBio and public health. If you’re working on related problems (or if you’re a prospective postdoc/PhD student, a potential funder/supporter, or simply curious), I’d love to chat!

Our Work:
At PETAL, we conduct quantitative research to lower the risk of future epidemics and pandemics, using computational modelling to enhance preparedness and response strategies for public health emergencies. Current projects include modelling to better characterise the epidemiology of viruses with pandemic potential; supporting genomic and metagenomic surveillance system design; operationalising broad-spectrum medical countermeasure use during pandemics; and evaluating the impact of indoor-air technologies on respiratory viruses. You can find more about what we do here: https://whittakerlab.com/ // https://publichealth.berkeley.edu/people/charles-whittaker. 

Postdoc Positions:
We’ve just opened two postdoc positions to work on modelling projects relating to broad-spectrum medical countermeasures, genomic surveillance and indoor-air disinfection. We’re especially keen on candidates with backgrounds in infectious-disease epidemiology and modelling/phylodynamics. Apply here: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF04994. Deadline for applications is October 6th and start date is flexible (October 2025 is just a placeholder).

PhD Students:
I'll also be supervising PhD students at UC Berkeley, and am always happy to talk with prospective students. I currently admit through Infectious Diseases & Immunity, Epidemiology, Computational Biology, Computational Precision Health and Biophysics. If you’re considering these programs and your interests overlap with PETAL’s focus areas, feel free to reach out!

Thanks for reading!