May 7
Pickford Film Center Bellingham, WA
TicketsJake Brandvold
Whatcom County Epidemiologist
28 Days Later— The Zombie Apocalypse and You: You Probably Aren't Surviving This
Program Description
Zoonotic viruses—those which spread from animals to humans—present unique challenges to scientists and researchers who attempt to both map and prevent their spread. Epidemiologist Jake Brandvold provides a surprisingly fun look into just how contagious viruses can be by using the audience as his example, and will highlight 28 Days Later with details of how even zombie movies, often rife with scientific inaccuracies, offer kernels of truth within their perspective of contagions.
Film Synopsis
Animal rights activists free a group of infected chimpanzees to horrifying results in this speculative sci-fi horror effort from director Danny Boyle.
Animal activists break into a laboratory with the intention of releasing chimpanzees that are undergoing experimentation, infected by a virus that causes rage. The naive activists ignore the warnings of a scientist to keep the cages locked, with disastrous results. 28 days later, bicycle courier Jim (Cillian Murphy) wakes up from a coma in a deserted hospital in London. Desperate to find anyone else, he stumbles into a church that has been taken over by murderous zombie-like humans. Fellow survivors Selena (Naomie Harris) and Mark (Noah Huntley) rescue Jim and explain to him that this blood-borne virus overwhelms the infected victim with a murderous rage within seconds. Britain has been overrun. Their only chance of survival may lie in the hands of a group of Manchester soldiers who claim to have the "answer" to infection and invite any survivors to join them at their blockade. Faced with no alternative, the group sets out northward, unaware that the worst is yet to come.
About the Speaker
Jake Brandvold is an epidemiologist with Whatcom County Health and Community Services, with a professional background that bridges veterinary medicine and public health. After earning his veterinary degree with Washington State University in 2016, he spent six years in private practice working with small animals and exotics. He completed his Master of Public Health in 2021 and transitioned into public health in 2023.
He has a strong interest in infectious disease, especially zoonotic diseases, and is passionate about the One Health concept—the recognition that human, animal, and environmental health are deeply interconnected. This perspective has guided his career since his early training in veterinary school.
He lives in Lynden with his three sons and a rescue dog. Outside of work, he enjoys being outdoors, cooking, staying active, and working on fiber arts projects.