Research Interests

Dr. Balkus is an infectious disease epidemiologist whose research focuses on questions that interface between the vaginal microbiome and HIV/STI prevention.

Epidemiology Biography

Education

PhD Epidemiology, University of Washington, 2012

MPH Epidemiology, University of Washington, 2005

BA Women Studies, Wesleyan University, 2000

In the News

Bacterial vaginosis may be helped by male partners being treated, study says
The Washington Post, 03/06/2025

Roe v. Wade overturned
KIRO 7, 06/24/2022

How risky are bars and clubs for vaccinated people?
Vox, 10/20/2021

A year into the pandemic, shame still doesn’t work
Vox, 01/27/2021

Release of 'Tenet' marks major test for movie industry in COVID-19 era
NBC News, 09/05/2020

No #StudentBan: International students belong in the US
The Seattle Times, 07/13/2020

Seattle health workers march to expose racism as a health crisis
Crosscut, 06/10/2020

Now is the time to end discrimination in blood and plasma donation
The Stranger, 04/20/2020

Even after 'flattening the curve,' Americans face a long road back to pre-coronavirus normalcy
NBC News, 04/18/2020