Dr. Jenine Leal, PhD is a first generation Canadian, of Portuguese heritage, who is privileged to work in and play on the traditional lands of the peoples of Treaty 7 in Alberta, Treaty 13, the Williams Treaties and the lands protected by the Dish with One Spoon wampum. She is married and a mom of two boys. She is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Community Health Sciences and Microbiology, Immunology & Infectious Diseases at the University of Calgary. Dr. Leal holds a PhD in Health Economics and an MSc in Healthcare Epidemiology from the University of Calgary. Her work bridges epidemiology, health economics, and infection prevention to improve patient safety and health system outcomes. She conducts applied research aimed at understanding and reducing healthcare-associated infections and the burden of antimicrobial resistance. At the University of Calgary, Dr. Leal teaches and mentors students in healthcare epidemiology, infectious diseases, and infection prevention and control, while leading research that informs evidence-based policy and practice across Alberta and beyond.