FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: PATRICIA PAVLINAC

Patricia Pavlinac, MS, PhD
Research Associate Professor, Department of Global Health

For Dr. Patricia Pavlinac, a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Global Health at the University of Washington, her career path has been anything but linear. Driven by an innate curiosity and a keen eye for opportunity, Dr. Pavlinac has carved out a distinguished career focused on understanding and combating complex global health challenges, particularly diarrheal diseases. 

Dr. Pavlinac’s journey began with a Bachelor’s in Neuroscience, initially leading her towards medical school. However, a transformative experience in the Peace Corps in Guyana opened her eyes to the broader landscape of public health. This shift ignited a passion for scientific inquiry, even as her interests initially spanned diverse fields like TB, HIV, and cardiovascular diseases, before diarrheal diseases ultimately “stuck.” 

A pivotal moment in her trajectory was her first START project in 2010, focused on an azithromycin intervention, where she worked closely with Dr. Judd Walson. This collaboration blossomed into a significant mentoring relationship, which Dr. Pavlinac emphasizes as having been critical to her career success: “Having great mentors, those that put you in front of leaders in your field and invest in your growth, is critical. Mentorship is a two-way street and it’s also critical to be helpful to your mentor, support their research projects and manuscripts, so that you truly engage in a mutually beneficial relationship” . This relationship not only deepened her expertise but also led to subsequent grants and a postdoctoral position. 

Dr. Pavlinac’s research tackles the complex challenge of identifying the multiple causes of diseases, particularly in diarrheal illness. Her expertise led her to become a coordinating Principal Investigator with the Gates Foundation’s Diarrheal Team, working at the inception of critical initiatives. She firmly believes that the impact of public health work extends beyond successful clinical trials, emphasizing the crucial need to engage with policy realms and communities to effect real change. 

Beyond her research, Dr. Pavlinac champions the power of collaboration, reflecting that “as a team, [we] can do so much more!” She actively encourages aspiring researchers to embrace curiosity, be open to diverse research areas, and, crucially, to nurture strong, reciprocal relationships with mentors and mentees. For those venturing into grant writing, she advocates for peer-to-peer networks and the invaluable learning that comes from reading others’ successful grants. Dr. Pavlinac’s career is a testament to the power of seizing opportunities, fostering strong connections, and maintaining an insatiable curiosity in the pursuit of global health research.