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When it comes to pandemic preparedness, few have had a front-row seat like Dr. Nikki Romanik. As the Special Assistant to the President, Deputy Director, and Chief of Staff for the Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy, she has played a pivotal role in shaping how the U.S. government responds to public health crises. But her journey into this high-stakes world started long before her time in the White House.
In a powerful conversation on the Scientista Podcast, Dr. Romanik shared the moment that set her career path in motion—the day she first saw the AIDS quilt at age 15. Standing alone in an Omaha convention center, she found herself frozen in front of a panel honoring Ryan White, a teenager whose courage in the face of HIV/AIDS stigma changed public perception. That experience didn’t just open her eyes—it changed the course of her life.
Dr. Romanik followed that early passion into medicine, working with pediatric patients with chronic illnesses before pivoting to infectious disease response. Her career took her through the CDC, the World Health Organization, and ultimately the White House, where she played a critical role in pandemic policy under the Biden administration.
She describes another defining moment: watching President Obama address the nation during the 2014 Ebola outbreak. Seeing a U.S. president dedicate time and resources to a global health crisis made her realize that pandemic response isn’t just a medical issue—it’s a national security priority. Determined to be part of that work, she applied to the CDC. It took multiple tries, but she got in—her persistence a defining trait in both her career and approach to public health.
One of the biggest challenges Dr. Romanik has tackled isn’t just fighting viruses—it’s fighting misinformation and rebuilding public trust in science.
“The trust deficit in science has been growing for years,” she explains. “But during COVID, trust didn’t just erode—it plummeted.”
She emphasizes the importance of clear, transparent, and frequent communication during health crises. The public doesn’t just need data—they need to hear what scientists know, what they don’t know, and how that information might evolve. That level of honesty, she believes, is crucial in regaining public confidence.Breaking Barriers: Women in STEM and Security
Dr. Romanik is clear: we are more prepared today than we were before COVID.
She points to wastewater surveillance, improved vaccine distribution strategies, and a detailed pandemic playbook—a step-by-step guide left by the Biden administration for future leaders. The problem? Having a playbook doesn’t mean it will be used. The Obama administration left one for COVID, but it was ignored. The key, she says, is political will and swift action.
For those looking to make an impact in science and public health, Dr. Romanik has one message: pursue your passion relentlessly.
“I followed what I cared about, and it led me to experiences I never could have imagined,” she says. “If saving lives is what drives you, that passion can take you to incredible places.”
Dr. Romanik’s journey—from a teenager in Nebraska to a leading force in pandemic preparedness—proves that science isn’t just about research. It’s about persistence, leadership, and the courage to fight for a healthier world.
For more insights from Dr. Nikki Romanik, tune in to the latest episode of the Scientista Podcast.
