Our People.
Jess Steier
DrPH, PMP (Executive Director)
Dr. Jessica Steier is the founder and CEO of Unbiased Science and CEO of Vital Statistics Consulting, as well as the executive director for SLL. A public health scientist and health services researcher, she brings extensive expertise in evaluation science, public health policy, research design, biostatistics, and advanced analytics. Dr. Steier received her Doctor of Public Health degree from the City University of New York (CUNY) and her Master of Public Health in Evaluative Sciences from SUNY-Stony Brook University. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with additional certifications in Patient Safety from Johns Hopkins and COVID-19 response from both Johns Hopkins and the American Red Cross. She holds a certificate in Public Relations from Cornell University because, as she says, public health needs better PR! As the creator and host of The Unbiased Science Podcast, Dr. Steier leads the organization's mission to make scientific evidence accessible and understandable to all. Dr. Steier is particularly passionate about translating complex research for diverse audiences, drawing her inspiration from her father's example that scientific literacy should be accessible regardless of educational background.
Michelle Bridenbaker
BA, RN, BSN, CPhT, DipTox, MBA (President)
Michelle Bridenbaker, serving as the President & Treasurer of SLL, brings an extensive and multifaceted two-decade-long career to the healthcare industry, enriching every role with her diverse expertise. Initially serving in various capacities including a biologist, pharmacy technician, and critical care nurse, Michelle has developed into an executive leader with a postgraduate degree in Medical Toxicology. Her career trajectory includes significant roles across the globe from the United States to Switzerland, where she has held leadership positions in renowned organizations like Pfizer, Biogen, and Recordati Rare Diseases. Currently, as the VP of Global Medical Information & Communications at Recordati, she steers medical communications and patient safety initiatives. Michelle's commitment extends into her role as a certified Red Cross Disaster Assessor and her active contributions to public health as a seasoned speaker at international conferences. This wealth of experience underscores her unique ability to bridge scientific knowledge with strategic communication and innovation in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and public health sectors, globally enhancing healthcare provider and patient experiences.
Jarrod Breithaupt
BBA (Board Secretary)
Jarrod Breithaupt manages production for the Unbiased Science Podcast, a program of Science Literacy Lab. As a Health Data Analyst, he oversees database maintenance, social media metrics, podcast distribution, and content creation. His role combines technical expertise with insights into healthcare analytics and digital media production, enhancing reach and impact in communicating complex scientific information effectively.
Jen Covich Bordenick
MS, DrPH(c) (Treasurer)
Jen Bordenick is a nationally recognized executive with 25+ years of experience in digital health, health communication, and policy. She has a proven record of bringing together leaders across sectors, shaping national policy, and translating research into real-world impact across health systems, payers, life sciences, tech companies, and government.
As Chief Strategy Officer at Unbiased Science, Jen leads efforts to turn complex health and science topics into clear, evidence-based content for diverse audiences via social media. Her unique perspective on digital health and AI is informed by her doctoral research, which centers on women’s health, behavior change, and digital communication.
Previously, Jen was CEO of Executives for Health Innovation (EHI), where she led a national coalition of health and tech leaders to advance innovation through advocacy, education, and collaboration. She has also held leadership roles at NCQA, MicroStrategy, and George Washington University Hospital.
An adjunct professor at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University, Jen is known for connecting people and ideas to drive impact. She is a trusted voice at the intersection of health, technology, and policy
Matthew Facciani
PhD
Dr. Matthew Facciani is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Notre Dame in the Computer Science and Engineering Department. He is an interdisciplinary social scientist with a background in neuroscience and psychology and holds a PhD in sociology. His research focuses on media literacy, misinformation, social networks, political polarization, identities, and artificial intelligence. Beyond academia, Matthew is a passionate science communicator dedicated to making complex social science research accessible to the public. He has written for various media outlets, spoken at national conferences, and hosts Misguided: The Podcast, where he explores how social and psychological forces shape the way we process and consume information. His forthcoming book, Misguided: Where Misinformation Starts, How It Spreads, and What to Do About It, will be published by Columbia University Press. Through his research and public engagement, Matthew strives to bridge the gap between academia and everyday conversations about truth, trust, and media literacy.
Bertha A. Hidalgo
Dr. Bertha Hidalgo is an Associate Professor with tenure in the Department of Epidemiology and Associate Dean for the Office of Access and Engagement at the UAB School of Public Health. She holds degrees from Stanford University, the University of Southern California and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She leads research programs in genetic epidemiology and dissemination science. Dr. Hidalgo has a highly productive record of peer-reviewed research in relevant research areas with publications as lead or co-lead author in high-impact journals including Nature, Scientific Reports, Diabetes, American Journal of Public Health, with over 100 publications in total as lead, co-author or senior author. She has attained research funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Association, and internal funding from UAB. Dr. Hidalgo is the past chair of the Minority Affairs committee and President-Elect of theAmerican College of Epidemiology, as well as a long-standing member on the NHLBI Board of External Experts. Dr. Hidalgo is also a recipient of the 2019 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Early Career Achievement Award.
PhD, MPH, FACE
Christina Madison
PharmD, FCCP, AAHIVP
Dr. Christina Madison is the Founder and CEO of The Public Health Pharmacist®, PLLC, a public health consulting firm, and an accomplished clinical pharmacist with specializations in public health and communicable diseases. A recognized leader in her field, Dr. Madison has been honored with numerous awards, including being named a Women Influencing Nevada 2022 Covergirl by Las Vegas Weekly and one of the Top 10 Most Influential Pharmacy Leaders by the Pharmacy Podcast Network in 2021. She is a past President of the Nevada Public Health Association and has extensive media experience, with over 200 TV appearances discussing public health issues. Additionally, Dr. Madison is an Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Roseman University of Health Sciences and maintains active clinical practices focusing on LGBTQ health and communicable diseases, having facilitated the administration of over 12,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses. Her career is marked by a dedication to improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations and advocating for public health and pharmacy as vital components of healthcare.
Joseph A. Schwarcz
PhD, CM
Dr. Joe Schwarcz has carved a distinctive niche in the field of chemistry education and science communication. Beginning his teaching career at Dawson College and later at Vanier College where he served as chair of the Department of Chemistry, Schwarcz transitioned to McGill University in 1980. Here, he has taught courses within the Department of Chemistry and the Faculty of Medicine, focusing notably on alternative medicine. In 1999, he became the founding director of the McGill University Office for Science and Society, a platform dedicated to promoting scientific literacy and critical thinking among the public, educators, and students. His approach to teaching chemistry is uniquely engaging, often incorporating elements of magic and performance to demystify scientific concepts. Beyond academia, Schwarcz has established a significant media presence, with regular appearances on Canadian television and radio, and through his columns in the Montreal Gazette and Canadian Chemical News. His efforts in science communication have been recognized with several awards, including the Grady-Stack Award for Interpreting Chemistry for the Public and the Robert P. Balles Prize for skeptical thinking. Schwarcz also holds honorary doctorates from multiple institutions, acknowledging his contributions to public understanding of science.
Todd Wolynn
MD, MMM, FACHE
Dr. Todd Wolynn is the Executive Director of the Trusted Messenger Program (TMP) a part of the public health nonprofit PGP (Public Good Projects). He’s been a Vaccination Advocate for > 30 years which includes his work as a: clinical vaccine researcher, immunizing pediatrician and immunization confidence & communication researcher. His work focuses on educating Healthcare Providers to utilize communication 'best practices' to help people reach personal evidence-based health decisions which drive quality outcomes. Dr. Wolynn worked in group outpatient primary care pediatrics for >30 years (the last 15yr as a Healthcare Executive Leader) and was proud to lead one of the highest-quality, most innovative and repeated ‘top workplace’ awardee pediatric practices in the country – Kids Plus Pediatrics (Pittsburgh, PA). His work has been covered in the LA Times, NYT Science Times, the Guardian, and a range of print, digital, podcast and documentary media formats. The 2022 documentary “Virulent: The Vaccine War”, highlighting his efforts addressing eroding vaccine confidence. In October 2022, Dr. Wolynn received the American Academy of Pediatrics Holyroyd-Sheery Award for outstanding media and public health work in the areas of advocacy, legislation, research, and professional & public education, and communication.