Jason “Germ Guy” Tetro has been in the scientific community for nearly 25 years.
He has worked on diagnostic technologies and has expertise in the food, water, air and bloodborne fields. He is currently Coordinator for the Emerging Pathogen Research Centre (EPRC) and the Centre for Research on Environmental Microbiology (CREM) both housed at the University of Ottawa. His current mandate is to develop novel strategies to identify infectious diseases in the lab and mitigate infectious disease spread through the use of knowledge brokering that employs well known translation models (including metaphor and self-perception).
Jason is also known as the “Germ Guy” where he promotes health and hygiene in the public. He has over 8 hours of broadcast time and been featured internationally in print and social media as an expert in germs, their spread and how to prevent illness. He has over 10 million individual views in the media and millions more online.
To speak to Jason’s natural ability for public speaking and explaining complex topics in plain language, Mr. Paul Lewis, President and General Manager of Discovery Channel, wrote the following in a recent email discussion:
“I took some time to review your video links and you are without doubt a terrific presenter of complex science information and extremely knowledgeable in the field. It’s always especially gratifying to hear from scientists who are interested in pursuing further a career in science communications. There just aren’t enough people like you to turn to in Canada – so I really appreciate where you are coming from.”
He was recently awarded an honorary doctorate in social media from Social Media University for his work in brokering scientific knowledge to the public and for his efforts in public engagement to develop and change science-based policy.
Highlights of Jason’s work with the media can be readily found online. A few are listed below:
Goodbye, Antibiotics (Article for the Toronto Star):
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/article/1026736–goodbye-antibiotics
Top 5 Germ Concerns (Rogers Daytime):
http://www.rogerstv.com/page.aspx?rid=4&lid=237&gid=81426
Hand Hygiene (CTV)
http://watch.ctv.ca/254544/#clip254544
Bathroom handles and the potential for infection (CTV)
http://watch.ctv.ca/#clip291255
The true value of hand sanitizers (CBC The National)
http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2009/12/01/consumer-hand-sanitizer-cbc-tests.html
Discussion on H1N1 and taking questions
http://watch.ctv.ca/231199/#clip231199
http://watch.ctv.ca/231201/#clip231201
Listeria after the outbreak in 2008 (CTV)
http://watch.ctv.ca/91059#clip91059
Probiotics as a means to improve health (CTV)
http://watch.ctv.ca/107221#clip107221
Vaccination and the lack of a link with autism (CTV)
http://watch.ctv.ca/138925#clip138925
The H1N1 outbreak (Full 1 hour radio program)
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mtpradio/2009/11/13/manifesting-the-positive-with-leyla-hur-and-stuart
Perhaps not so easy to find are a collection of Jason’s writings from 1999-2001 when he was a regular contributor to The Ottawa Citizen. You can read these articles, many of which have nothing to do with germs, by clicking below. For the record, they are not the original articles but aggregated from an academic database. Still, the message remains clear.
Jason Tetro in The Ottawa Citizen, 1999-2001
While in those days, he was better known as The Sinister Perspective, a name that was once given to him by a former teacher, Jason has always found a way to take an idea, find something new about it and then tell a story that’s different, entertaining and thought-provoking.
Jason
Pursuant to our conversation this afternoon…. :
http://www.ted.com/talks/paul_ewald_asks_can_we_domesticate_germs.html
David
Thanks for the link. Paul Ewald is a very interesting character. Also checked out some of your information on the web. Very enlightening…
Jason – As the “Germ Guy”, I am very interested in your opinion about germ protection products. It seems that the majority of cleaning products in stores simply don’t address the threat of germs. (And often those that do are toxic.) So, people think that things are “clean”, but they are really still at risk of germ contamination.
Have you heard of the MyClyns products? They offer what is called the 360-degree germ protection system, addressing the three forms of germ transmission: 1) proximity to an infected person; 2) contact with contaminated surfaces and 3) eating contaminated foods. The products are safer (non-toxic), highly effective and longer lasting than other alternatives.
Right now, MyClyns products are available only through Independent Wellness Coaches with the company, Union Springs Wellness. Please take a look at the website and let me know what you think. Would love to hear your feedback and discuss further. Thanks!
Dear Germ Guy,
I have one question for each of the “Three Wise Germs”
-Santa brought me a cover matress, isn´t necessary to wash it before?
-About the Human Papiloma Virus, I heard that now there´s something more effective than the papanicolau for detection and prevention, but I don´t recall the name.
-I didn´t understand the relation between the vaccine and Guilleme-Barre. I have a cousin how adquired it and she blames a bad treatment for her epilepsy.
Wish you a happy and healthy 2012!