Diet Coke May Make Maine College Students This Teacher’s Pet

Maine's favorite Diet Coke-chugging former CDC Director returns to the state as a visiting professor.

Throughout the Pandemic, Dr. Shah's Diet Coke Was Always Nearby

Dr. Nirav Shah was a source of comfort during the pandemic, with his engaging video updates that made us feel connected, despite our physical distancing. He teased the reporters, smiled at the camera, and always had a Diet Coke at the ready.

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What was it with the Diet Coke? Dr. Shah probably thought he'd be remembered for his mask or his white shirts. But, no. It was that silver can of Diet Coke that was always next to him.

He would chug from the can as reporters asked their questions, as if he were doing endorsements for the brand. For the record, he wasn't.

Dr. Shah joined Dan Cashman on the Nite Show in 2021 to talk about his Diet Coke obsession.

Colby Students May Want to Stock Up As They Join Dr. Shah's New Class

Now, this could be useful information to students at Colby College in Waterville. Dr. Nirav Shah, epidemiologist and former Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention, will join the Colby faculty in the fall as a visiting professor in the Department of Statistics.

Shah will teach courses on public health and will help the College develop its public health program.

Colby President Greene Calls Dr. Nirav Shah a "Natural Teacher"

Why Colby College? Dr. Shah received an honorary doctoral degree there in 2022 and says he admires Colby President David Greene's values-based leadership style. Greene calls him a 'natural teacher' and one of the world's leading health experts.

It is Colby's good fortune that he has decided to join our faculty and help us launch one of the top undergraduate public health programs in the nation.

Dr. Shah recently stepped down from a leadership position with the U.S. CDC in Atlanta. Here's hoping he brought his winter coat and gloves as he returns to a much colder climate.

Welcome back, Dr. Shah. Georgia's loss is our gain.