Payam Nahid, MD, MPH, who has performed a number one position in enhancing tuberculosis care all over the world, has been named govt director of UCSF’s Institute for Global Health Sciences.

Nahid, who joined UCSF greater than 20 years in the past, at present serves because the director of Clinical Trials Operations within the Office of Research. He brings a wealth of expertise in medical trials, therapy steering and translational analysis on tuberculosis, in addition to coinfection with HIV.

As the director of the UCSF Center for Tuberculosis, Nahid oversees the implementation of the newly established Tuberculosis Research Advancement Center at UCSF and UC Berkeley, which is funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

My dedication to advancing international well being fairness and lowering disparities has all the time been on the core of every thing I do.”

He additionally guides analysis methods in diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines for the Supporting, Mobilizing and Accelerating Research for Tuberculosis Elimination, which is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Nahid’s experience has been tapped by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in addition to the World Health Organization (WHO), and he’s a member of the WHO Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on TB.

“UCSF has a long and illustrious history of combatting TB, and it is fitting to have an expert like Payam to lead IGHS,” mentioned UCSF Chancellor Sam Hawgood, MBBS. “He brings a deep understanding of global efforts to eliminate TB, which has killed more people than any other infectious disease.”

Nahid succeeds Jaime Sepúlveda, MD, MPH, DrSC, who stepped down as govt director in August 2023. George Rutherford, MD, MA, professor of epidemiology and biostatistics, has been serving as appearing IGHS director.

Advancing international well being fairness

Nahid mentioned he was drawn to the position at IGHS due to the institute’s dedication to addressing international well being disparities and supporting equitable worldwide partnerships.

“My dedication to advancing global health equity and reducing disparities has always been at the core of everything I do,” mentioned Nahid, a professor of medication within the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. “What excites me about leading IGHS is that it offers an unparalleled opportunity to tackle these issues across a broad spectrum of disciplines, particularly in light of the growing challenges brought on by climate change. This is ultimately about improving lives worldwide.”

With greater than 400 college and workers members, IGHS serves as an accelerator for international well being initiatives, trains leaders and helps governments all over the world. As govt director, Nahid mentioned he’ll work to strengthen its analysis and educating and lift its worldwide profile.

Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Catherine Lucey, MD, who headed the committee that ran a aggressive, worldwide search, cited Nahid’s ardour for addressing the well being care wants of low- and middle-income nations, already a spotlight at IGHS, as a key qualification for the job.

“This was evident in his multidisciplinary research and in the clinical trials he leads on patient-centered approaches to tuberculosis treatment in resource-limited settings,” Lucey mentioned. “His work with WHO committees tackling complex problems with diverse stakeholders shows the type of leadership skills needed for this role. I am delighted that Payam chose this role as the next step in his career, and I look forward to working with him.”

He will begin his new place on April 1.