René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH – Medium

René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH

he/him

Published in
Microbial Instincts

The Sitcoms Got It Wrong: Why Mumps Is No Laughing Matter

The Brady Bunch may have laughed at mumps, but the complications are no joke.

10h ago

A person with light skin and short, dark hair is lying down in a hospital setting. Their face appears slightly swollen, and they have significant swelling on one side of their neck, just below the jawline. Their eyes are open, gazing slightly upward, and their expression is neutral. The lighting casts a warm tone on their skin. A bed or medical equipment is partially visible in the background, suggesting a clinical environment.

10h ago

Published in
STEM Parenting

Making Math Fun on Long Drives

A 3x5 card and a scratch sheet of paper (and maybe a calculator), and my daughter learns some basic math (and how speedometers work).

1d ago

A close-up of a car’s speedometer, illuminated with a warm orange glow. The needle points to approximately 100 km/h. The speedometer’s markings range from 0 to 260 km/h, with bold numbers at intervals of 20. Below the needle, a small fuel gauge shows a partially filled tank. The background is blurred, and the edge of another gauge is visible on the right. The lighting creates a soft reflection on the glass covering the speedometer, adding depth to the image.

1d ago

Published in
The Quantastic Journal

The History of Hantavirus and Why You’re Reading a Lot About It in 2025

It’s everywhere in the news, so let me share its history along with a story of my own.

3d ago

Two small black mice are on a weathered wooden surface covered in scattered birdseed and sunflower seeds. One mouse is resting its head on the other, which appears to be gently climbing over it. Their fur is sleek, their ears are perked up, and their whiskers are visible. The background consists of blurred green foliage, with a thin, dry branch extending diagonally across the image. Sunlight highlights the mice’s fur and the texture of the seeds.

3d ago

Published in
Microbial Instincts

The False Alarm on Rubella in Texas Was a Warning Shot — And We Should Pay Attention

Known as “German measles,” rubella is yet another one of those viruses that gives epidemiologists nightmares.

Mar 6

The image shows a vintage educational exhibit about rubella, featuring illustrated panels with text and graphics. The left panel asks, “Is her unborn baby safe from rubella?” and shows a healthcare worker examining a pregnant person. Below, a bar chart and an image of an infant discuss congenital rubella syndrome and birth defects. The right panels outline prevention strategies with illustrations of healthcare workers, children, and classroom settings. A sign at the top reads, “STOP THE SPREAD F

Mar 6

I Created a Headless MacBook Pro, and I’m Digging It

This is a whole new approach to “spatial computing.”

Mar 6

A well-lit desk setup features a MacBook with its lid open, positioned in front of a large curved monitor displaying a Google Docs document in editing mode. A smaller tablet screen is visible to the left. The desk is covered with a black and geometric-patterned mat, with a white keyboard, a mouse, a pen, and sticky notes. A Starbucks cup sits on the right side. Behind the monitor, there are framed photos on the wall, and a small note with handwritten text is attached to the monitor stand.

Mar 6

Published in
The Quantastic Journal

SSRI Medications: Their History, Effects, and Current Controversies

Along with attacks on science in general, medication for mental health disorders is being maligned. Here are some facts.

Mar 4

SSRI Medications: Their History, Effects, and Current Controversies Along with attacks on science in general, medication for mental health disorders is being maligned. Here are some facts.

Mar 4

Introducing My Public Health Night School Project

Let me teach you about my profession.

Feb 27

Introducing My Public Health Night School Project

Feb 27

Published in
Microbial Instincts

Measles Is a Big Deal, Even if You Have Never Seen a Person With It

Why 124 cases among Texas’ 31.3 million residents is troubling.

Feb 26

Digitally-colorized, thin-section transmission electron microscopic image of a single measles virus particle, with the viral nucleocapsid situated underneath the viral envelope, surrounded by surface projections.

Feb 26

Published in
BeingWell

The Students Are Not Okay

I’ve been noticing a trend in my graduate students, and it’s worrying me.

Feb 26

A group of people is seated in a modern conference room with rows of gray chairs that have wooden armrests. A speaker, dressed in a gray blazer and dark pants, sits on a stool at the front, facing the audience. The speaker raises one hand, engaging with the attendees. Several audience members, dressed in a mix of business casual and casual attire, have their hands raised in response. The group is diverse in appearance, with varying hairstyles, facial features, and clothing styles.

Feb 26

Analyzing Publicly Available Data on Measles in Texas and New Mexico

Insights from public data gives a picture of where measles could appear next.

Feb 26

A person with light skin is lying on a hospital bed with their eyes closed. Their face is covered in a reddish, blotchy rash. Their dark hair is slightly disheveled, and their expression appears tense. A small card with a hand-drawn “I” symbol is held up near their shoulder. The lighting in the room is dim and casts a yellowish hue over the image. The background consists of white pillows and bedding.

Feb 26

René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH

René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH

he/him

Friend of Medium

DrPH in Epidemiology. Public Health Instructor. Father. Husband. "All around great guy." https://linktr.ee/rene.najera

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