Gerrod Murai, PHM, ASCP(M) has been in public health for more than 15 years and has held many positions within the public health laboratory system. Gerrod has served as Laboratory Director at Santa Cruz County Clinical Laboratory for the last 3 years. Prior to becoming acting director, Gerrod was the Senior Public Health Microbiologist and where he developed a wealth of experience in parasitology, virology, bacteriology, mycobacteriology, mycology, and immunology. He has worked steadfastly through two pandemics and numerous outbreaks of infectious diseases. During the H1N1 and COVID pandemics, Gerrod directed the Santa Cruz response for testing. Amid the COVID outbreak, Gerrod built and directed the county’s COVID testing laboratory. Gerrod has won numerous awards for his outstanding work and enduring contributions to the people of Santa Cruz County.