Megin Nichols, D.V.M., M.P.H., D.A.C.V.P.M.
Director, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases
CDC

Dr. Megin Nichols is the Director of the Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, where she leads national and international efforts to prevent and control illnesses caused by foodborne, waterborne, and environmentally transmitted pathogens. With more than 15 years of experience in zoonotic disease prevention and response across federal and state agencies, Dr. Nichols brings deep scientific expertise and a proven record of strengthening public health systems.

At CDC, she previously led the Enteric Zoonoses Team, guiding multistate investigations of Salmonella, E. coli, and other enteric pathogens linked to food, animals, and the environment. Before joining CDC, Dr. Nichols served as the Principal Investigator for the Active Bacterial Core Surveillance Program at the New Mexico Department of Health, where she directed surveillance activities and advanced applied epidemiologic research.

Dr. Nichols holds a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from New Mexico State University, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University, and a Master of Public Health in Food Safety and Biosecurity from the University of Minnesota. She is board-certified in veterinary preventive medicine. Her professional interests include zoonotic disease prevention, strengthening food safety systems, and improving health outcomes for children.