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About Us

About Us

The Global Health Security Network (GHSN) Limited is a new multidisciplinary professional association dedicated to facilitating evidence- informed policy for the detection, prevention and control of infectious disease threats, irrespective of origin or source.

Following the inaugural Global Health Security Conference held in Sydney (18-20 June 2019), the Global Health Security Network was created to provide a space where global health academics, scientists and policy-makers from across multiple sectors and around the world have a platform to share their thoughts, ideas, research and innovations with other professionals. The Association was then founded in October 2019 by Adam Kamradt-Scott, Rebecca Katz (Georgetown University) and Sara Davies (Griffith University)

Mission

The Global Health Security Network (GHSN) is an international community of academics, scientists and policy-makers that welcomes professionals who seek to share their knowledge and research on global health security.

We encourage free thinking and support those that wish to make a meaningful impact to improve the health and well-being of all people globally. The GHSN community is an opportunity to engage with members, sharing their ideas through the Association and at GHSN events around the world.

Our Board

Prof Adam Kamradt-Scott
Chair of Board of Directors GHSN
Prof Adam Kamradt-Scott specialises in global health security and international relations. His research and teaching explore how governments and multilateral organisations respond to adverse health events such as epidemics and pandemics, as well as emerging health and security challenges. Adam’s most recent research examines civil-military cooperation in health and humanitarian crises, and the correlations between gender, sexuality, health and security. Prior to entering academia, Adam’s professional includes having worked as a health professional, a political adviser, and public servant in national health security and pandemic planning.

Prof Rebecca Katz

Georgetown University

Dr. Rebecca Katz is a Professor and Director of the Center for Global Health Science and Security, and holds joint appointments in Georgetown University Medical Center and the School of Foreign Service. She teaches courses on global health diplomacy, global health security, and emerging infectious diseases in the Science, Technology and International Affairs, Security Studies, and Global Infectious Disease Programs. Prior to coming to Georgetown in 2016, she spent ten years at The George Washington University as faculty in the Milken Institute School of Public Health. Since 2007, much of her work has been on the domestic and global implementation of the International Health Regulations as well as global governance of public health emergencies. She has authored over 100 peer reviewed manuscripts, and five books in addition to numerous op eds, blogs, white papers and book chapters. From 2004 to 2019, Dr. Katz was a consultant to the Department of State, working on issues related to the Biological Weapons Convention, pandemic influenza and disease surveillance. She returned to the Department of State in January 2021 as a senior advisor on the global COVID-19 response and global health security In 2019, Dr. Katz co-convened the first international scientific conference on global health security, bringing together over 900 participants from around the world to form a community of practice, Dr. Katz received her undergraduate degree from Swarthmore College, an M.P.H. from Yale University, and a Ph.D. from Princeton University. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Dr Seye Abimbola

University of Sydney

Seye Abimbola is a health systems researcher from Nigeria. He is currently a senior lecturer at the School of Public Health, University of Sydney in Australia, where he teaches global health and uses realist methods and theories from institutional economics to study health system governance. Dr Abimbola is also the editor in chief of BMJ Global Health, and the current Prince Claus Chair in Equity and Development at Utrecht University, where he is working on justice in global health research.

Dr Andrew Nerlinger

PandemicTech and TEXGHS

Dr. Andrew Nerlinger is the Executive Director of the Global Health Security Fund, a Geneva-based nonprofit that supports impact investment in global health security innovation. He is also the Co-founder of PandemicTech, an Austin-based venture philanthropy launched in 2016 that supports health security innovators on the front lines of fighting pandemic infectious disease threats. Andrew is a Venture Partner at Bill Wood Ventures, an Austin-based family office that invests in early stage technology companies, and he previously served as Partner at Vesalius Ventures, a Houston-based telemedicine and digital health venture capital firm. He is a graduate of the Yale University School of Medicine (MD) and the University of Notre Dame (BS).

Dr Meru Sheel

Australian National University

A/Prof Meru Sheel is a global health researcher and epidemiologist, and leads research on infectious diseases, immunisation and health emergencies. She holds a PhD in vaccinology and an MPhil in Applied Epidemiology. Meru has worked in the Asia-Pacific region for over 10 years including having responded to international emergencies in Fiji, Dominica, Rohingya Crisis in Cox’s Bazar Bangladesh, Tonga and Papua New Guinea. In 2019, she was awarded a Westpac Research Fellowship (2019-2022) to conduct operational research in health emergencies in the context of infectious diseases and global health security. She is a founding steering committee member of the Australian Regional Immunisation Alliance and the WHO Roadmap for Public Health Workforce. In 2019, Meru was recognised as the Science and Medicine winner for 40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian-Australians. In 2020, she was awarded the ANU Vice Chancellor’s Awards for Impact and Engagement. Meru is a passionate science communicator & an advocate for gender and diversity in leadership roles.

Robin Davies

Former First Assistant Secretary DFAT

Robin Davies is the First Assistant Secretary of DFAT’s Global Health Division and concurrently the Head of DFAT’s Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security He is leading the implementation of Australia’s Health Security Initiative for the Indo - Pacific region and the Regional COVID-19 Vaccine Access and Health Security Inititaive. Robin w as previously Associate Direc tor of the Development Policy Centre at the Australian National University.

Darren Menachemson

ThinkPlace

Darren is a ThinkPlace Global Partner, and serves as Head of Digital Societies and Chief Ethicist. Over 20 years, Darren has worked to innovate for public good, designing or assuring large scale transformations, regulatory initiatives and program interventions that tackle societies’ most complex challenges. Darren works with governments, international NGOs and responsible corporates, at the most senior levels and on the most sensitive topics, taking a co-design approach to create new coalitions to drive change.

Virgile Madua Kikaya

Jhpiego

Virgile Kikaya is a public health leader and program manager with more than 20 years of experience working in Sub Saharan Africa. He qualified as a clinician in DRC in 2001, before he moved into public health and gained expertise in technical assistance for disease control, monitoring and evaluation, capacity building, and project planning, management and implementation. He has provided technical and management support for programs for Maternal Health, Family planning, HIV prevention, care and treatment, malaria, TB and for the control of neglected tropical diseases in Lesotho, the DRC and in other African countries at the district health, regional and national levels. He has worked for several international organizations and donors including WHO, UNAIDS, PWC/ Global Fund as well as Ministries of Health. Currently, Virgile Kikaya serves as Jhpiego, a Johns Hopkins University affiliate, DRC Country Director and works in the technical areas of Public Health Emergency Management, Maternal Health and Family Planning as well as Malaria.

Our Team

Rebecca Smith
Executive Officer
Rebecca is the Executive Manager for the Global Health Security Network (GHSN). In her role, she brings her enthusiasm and innovation to drive the success of GHSN and the conference. With her positive and passionate approach, she ensures that all stakeholders receive the highest level of service. Rebecca’s dedication and hard work are evident in her solutions-focused mindset, attention to detail, and creative flair. She excels at creating valuable business opportunities through targeted marketing, networking, communications, and negotiation. As the Executive Manager of GHSN, Rebecca’s strength, determination, and love for challenges make her an invaluable asset to GHS2024.

Samantha Tanner

Events Coordinator

Samantha’s dynamic and collaborative personality forms the bedrock of her success as both a communicator and a leader. She possesses an innate talent for forging connections with people, a quality that has been invaluable throughout her diverse career. Following the successful completion of her Event Management Diploma, Samantha has had the privilege of channeling her skills into two distinct non-profit organisations, each dedicated to remarkable causes benefiting humanity. In her professional journey, organisational prowess, diligent effort, and determination have been constants. Her primary focus on event management has equipped her with a wealth of experience in various domains, including sponsorship management, time and project management, effective coordination with vendors and suppliers, budgetary oversight, event planning and execution, and the cultivation of robust communication and stakeholder relationships. Samantha’s ability to adapt, her proficiency in working across different platforms, and her knack for creative problem-solving consistently position her as an invaluable asset in professional contexts. Samantha thrives under pressure, finds immense satisfaction in completing projects, and she excels both as a team player and when working independently. Her true passion lies in her work. Events hold a special place in her heart, and she is wholly dedicated to making each one truly special.
Emily Ehlen-Schreiner
Events Administrator
Emily is a seasoned Events Administrator, bringing with her a wealth of experience spanning several years in event management, office administration, tourism, and marketing. With a Bachelor’s degree in Communications under her belt, she approaches her work with enthusiasm and meticulous attention to detail. Having contributed to the success of various events across the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, and now in Australia, Emily is well-versed in orchestrating memorable and impactful gatherings. Her diverse background and international exposure have equipped her with a broad skill set to navigate the intricacies of event planning seamlessly. Currently, Emily is excited to embark on a new chapter with GHSN, where she will play a pivotal role in organizing the upcoming global conference slated to commence in June. Her dedication and passion for creating exceptional experiences promise to elevate the event to new heights.
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