Dan Caughey, M.H.A.
Dan joined the Simon Lab in 2021. He accomplished his B.S. in Health Policy and Management from Providence College, including a program in Copenhagen, Denmark studying Healthcare Delivery and Prioritization. Prior to his time in the Simon Lab, Dan worked as a Medical Team Associate in the Boston Children’s Hospital NICU. He recently achieved his Masters of Health Administration at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Outside of the lab, Dan enjoys running, hiking, and spending time with his Dachshund, Penny!
Simon Lab Spotlight! Dan Caughey
Dan Caughey, Administrative Manager, from Mansfield, Massachusetts
M.H.A. from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Q. Cats or Dogs or Other?
A. Dogs, but only because I am allergic to cats!
Q. What sparked your interest in virology research or led you to join the Simon and Mulder Lab?
A. I would have to say the COVID-19 Pandemic. I moved to New York in December 2020 and two weeks later everything shut down. When I started looking for a new job in early 2021 many places were not hiring, but eventually Drs. Viviana Simon and Florian Krammer (also in the Microbiology Department) reached out that they were looking for help and I started in the Simon/Mulder Lab not long after.
Q. What is the most interesting part of your job?
A. It is without a doubt the people that I get to work and collaborate with, within Mount Sinai and beyond. I am fortunate enough to work for two large labs simultaneously, so I have met and worked with people from all over the world.
Q. Where is your favorite spot in all of New York?
A. I would have to say Central Park right near the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) - there are some small grass areas where I take my dog to all the time when the weather is nice.
Q. How did the COVID-19 Pandemic impact your position on research and virology?
A. The COVID-19 Pandemic really changed my whole career and my whole way of thinking. I never saw myself working in the field of virology since I had only ever worked in clinical settings, but COVID-19 put into perspective how important this type of work is, and the lives it can save.
Q. What does a day in the lab look like?
A. It is hard to say because every day is unique! It typically involves some espresso, snacks, and balancing my time. I work for two Principal Investigators, so I divide my time between 50% helping the Simon/Mulder Lab and 50% the Krammer Lab. Together, along with the Camila Coelho Lab here at Mount Sinai, they make up the Center for Vaccine Research and Pandemic Preparedness (C-VaRPP). So, an average day involves prioritizing my many administrative tasks among the Lab(s) and Center to keep them running efficiently!
Q. Aside from being a great scientist, what would you describe as your personal superpower?
A. I would say that it is my ability to communicate with dogs. That being said, my Dachshund Penny hardly ever listens to me.
Q. If you could share one piece of advice with people interested in research, what would it be?
A. It is important to stay curious and not judgmental. Also, watch Ted Lasso!
