People in global health news - April 2023

CDC names director, deputy director for global health

CDC has selected Dr. Kayla Laserson as director of its Global Health Center. Laserson was formerly CDC’s India country director, director of the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)/CDC Research and Public Health Collaboration, and deputy director for infectious diseases and vaccine delivery at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Dr. Howard Zucker was recently named the CDC deputy director for global health, overseeing the planning and management of global programs. Previously, he served as Commissioner of Health for New York State and Assistant Director General at WHO and is board certified in six specialties, with experience in pediatrics, anesthesiology, and critical care.

Africa CDC names director general

The African Union appointed Dr. Jean Kaseya, a medical doctor from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as the first director general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Kaseya was a senior advisor to the president of the DRC and previously worked at UNICEF, GAVI Alliance, and WHO.

WHO appoints new malaria program director

Dr. Daniel Ngamije Madandi has been appointed Director of the WHO Global Malaria Programme. Ngamije previously served as the Rwandan Minister of Health and National Programme Officer for Malaria and NTDs at WHO Rwanda. In this role, he will lead efforts to combat malaria and strengthen pandemic prevention and response capacities worldwide.

OAR Director transitions to new role

Dr. Maureen M. Goodenow, former director of the NIH Office of AIDS Research (OAR), has transitioned to a new role as senior advisor in the NIH Office of the Director. Goodenow led OAR for nearly seven years and was the first woman to serve in the position since its establishment in 1988.

Former DAIDS director, Dr. Ed Tramont passes

Retired Army Colonel, and former director of the Division of AIDS at NIAID, Dr. Edmund Tramont, has passed away. Tramont was most recently an associate director for special projects at NIAID's Clinical Research Division, advising researchers on emerging diseases, including COVID-19. He is recognized for significant contributions to the research and development of vaccines and treatments for HIV/AIDS.