About this Site

Welcome to my personal data science website. I am Isaac Michaels, MPH, an epidemiologist with a passion for advancing science and translating research into practice. I am dedicated to leveraging open data and open-source tools to protect and promote the public health of communities, with a focus on New York City and New York State.

On this site, you will find a range of analyses and data visualizations that explore various aspects of public health in New York and beyond. However, the site also includes several analyses that pertain to other issues, such as environmental data, hate crimes data, and analyses of sports data. These analyses showcase my diverse interests and demonstrate the versatility and potential applications of data science in a variety of fields.

All of the analyses on this site are conducted using open-source software, such as R and R packages, and the website itself is also created and maintained using open-source tools. I believe in the power of open data and open-source software to drive positive change and promote transparency, and I am committed to using these tools to create meaningful and impactful content for this site.

I hope you find the content on this site informative and useful. If you have any questions or feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out (imichaels@albany.edu). I am committed to continuously updating and improving the site and welcome any suggestions or ideas for future content. Thank you for visiting!

About Me

Isaac Michaels is a public health professional with a background in epidemiology. He has a passion for integrating research and practice in order to improve the health and well-being of communities. Throughout his career, Michaels has worked in various settings, including government agencies, hospitals, non-profit organizations, and international organizations. These experiences have given him a diverse skill set and a deep understanding of the complex challenges facing public health.

Michaels received his Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in both Mathematics and Anthropology from Binghamton University. He then went on to earn a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from the University at Albany. Currently, he is pursuing a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree with a concentration in Epidemiology at the University at Albany. This advanced degree will allow him to further develop his expertise in public health research and practice, and to make a greater impact on the health of communities.

Research Gate

Selected Publications

Michaels I, Pirani S, Fleming M, Arana MM, D’Angelo E, Dyer-Drobnack C, DiManno M, Ravenhall S, Gloria CT. Enumeration of the Public Health Workforce in New York State: Workforce Changes in the Wake of COVID-19. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022; 19(20):13592.

Michaels IH, Pirani SJ, Carrascal A. Disparities in Internet Access and COVID-19 Vaccination in New York City. Prev Chronic Dis 2021;18:210143.

Michaels IH, Pirani SJ, Carrascal A. Visualizing 50 Years of Cancer Mortality Rates Across the US at Multiple Geographic Levels Using a Synchronized Map and Graph Animation. Prev Chronic Dis. 2020;17:E28.

Michaels IH. Use Cases for Social Impact Bonds in Schenectady, New York. January 2014.

Nguyen TQ, Michaels IH, Bustamante-zamora D, et al. Generating Subcounty Health Data Products: Methods and Recommendations From a Multistate Pilot Initiative. J Public Health Manag Pract. 2020.

Hosler AS, Michaels IH. Association Between Food Distress and Smoking Among Racially and Ethnically Diverse Adults, Schenectady, New York, 2013-2014. Prev Chronic Dis. 2017;14:E71.

Hosler AS, Done DH, Michaels IH, Guarasi DC, Kammer JR. Longitudinal Trends in Tobacco Availability, Tobacco Advertising, and Ownership Changes of Food Stores, Albany, New York, 2003-2015. Prev Chronic Dis. 2016;13:E62.

Hosler AS, Michaels IH, Buckenmeyer EM. Food Shopping Venues, Neighborhood Food Environment, and Body Mass Index Among Guyanese, Black, and White Adults in an Urban Community in the US. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2016;48(6):361-368.e1.

Hosler AS, Michaels IH. Spatial Access to Faith-based Diabetes Intervention for Guyanese Adults in Schenectady, New York. Diabetes Educ. 2014;40(4):526-532.