People in global health news

November/December 2023 | Volume 22 Number 6

 

Longtime Fogarty advisor, Rob Eiss, passes away

Robert Eiss, senior global health advisor for the Fogarty International Center at NIH has passed away. A champion of scientific research and global health equity, Eiss played a pivotal role in developing several Fogarty programs and leaves a lasting legacy of service. Read more about Eiss' career: In Memoriam: Robert B. Eiss

 

Monica Bertagnolli confirmed as NIH Director

Dr. Monica Bertagnolli has been confirmed as the 17th director of NIH. Bertagnolli is the first surgeon and the second woman to hold this prestigious position. With over 35 years of experience in the field, her previous roles include director of the National Cancer Institute and chief of surgical oncology at the Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center.

 

Fogarty mentor, Rose Leke receives Virchow Prize

Dr. Rose Leke, who has served as a mentor for Fogarty trainees for many years, has been awarded the 2023 Virchow Prize for Global Health. She was awarded for her distinctive and exceptional lifetime achievements in strengthening global health, pioneering infectious disease research towards a malaria-free world and relentless dedication in advancing gender equality.

 

Wright named NIH Climate Scholar for Fogarty

Caradee Wright, a chief specialist scientist at the South African Medical Research Council, and adjunct professor at the University of Pretoria and the University of Johannesburg, has been named an NIH Climate Scholar for Fogarty. Her research background focuses on environmental health epidemiology, with an emphasis on climate change and air pollution risk factors in Africa.

 

Alfred Mteta, AFREHealth Vice President, passes away

AFREHealth vice president and Fogarty grant recipient, Alfred Mteta has passed away. An experienced consultant surgeon with over 30 years of experience in health care and medical education, Mteta was a principal investigator on Fogarty’s also worked on the MEPI program as a PI and formerly served as the CEO of Bugando Medical Centre.

 

China's chief epidemiologist dies at 60

Dr. Wu Zunyou, China's chief epidemiologist, has died at age 60. Zunyou helped develop China's flagship policy in the HIV epidemic among intravenous drug users and was awarded the 2005 International Rolleston Award and UNAIDS Gold Medal in 2008 for his work. In his role at the China CDC, he also served as an adviser during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Global Virus Network names new president

Dr. Sten Vermund, former dean of the Yale School of Public Health and professor of pediatrics at the Yale School of Medicine, has been named president of the Global Virus Network (GVN). Vermund brings years of experience in researching health care access, adolescent sexual and reproductive health, HIV transmission prevention, and health policy.

 

Brazilian immunologist, Corrêa-Oliveria passes

Brazilian immunologist Dr. Rodrigo Corrêa-Oliveria has passed away [link is in Portuguese]. Corrêa-Oliveria, best known for his work investigating the immune response against parasitic infections, served as vice president of research and biological collections at Fiocruz. Corrêa-Oliveria contributed significantly to parasitic infection research and played a crucial role in global health initiatives.

Updated December 11, 2023

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