Meet Alex, a curious and analytical 22-year-old Public Health student at the University of Waterloo. Growing up in a family of healthcare professionals, Alex has always been passionate about understanding infectious diseases and their societal impacts. Their keen interest in wastewater surveillance emerged during the pandemic, leading them to conduct independent research on respiratory illnesses. As a result, they often share insights in online communities to inform and educate others about the complexities of health data and its implications on public safety.