Global Health at WashU:
Focus on Impact
April 30 & May 1, 2025
Join us April 30 and May 1, as WashU global health faculty, students and community partners convene to explore the impact of WashU research on global health at the 2025 Global Health Annual Conference, Global Health at WashU: Focus on Impact.
The 2025 Global Health Annual Conference is a collaboration between the Global Health Center; WashU’s strategic plan, Here and Next; the Death to Onchocerciasis and Lymphatic Filariasis (DOLF) project; and the Air Quality and Health Initiative.
More details about the agenda and speakers will be posted to the website as they become available. Register for the conference to stay informed about important updates.
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Afternoon Program
Clark-Fox Forum, Hillman Hall, Danforth Campus
| 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Registration and Lunch |
| 1:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. | Welcome and Opening RemarksMary M. McKay, PhDExecutive Vice Provost, WashU |
| 1:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. | Plenary PresentationMary Woolley, MAPresident and CEO, Research!America |
| 1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. | Impact Presentations and Panel on WashU Global Health ResearchInternational Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD)Ozge Sensoy Bahar, MSW, PhDCo-Director, ICHADResearch Associate Professor, Brown School, WashUProscovia Nabunya, PhDCo-Director, ICHADAssistant Professor, Brown School, WashUWhy collaborate in health systems science? QuEST’s signature findingsMargaret E. Kruk, MD, MPHDistinguished Professor of Health Systems and Medicine, Division of General Medicine and Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, WashU School of MedicineDirector, QuEST Center |
| 2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Closing Remarks |
Evening Program
Special Symposium featuring the Launch of the WashU Air Quality and Health Research Initiative
Clark-Fox Forum, Hillman Hall, Danforth Campus
| 5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Registration and Dinner |
| 5:30 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. | Welcome and Opening RemarksRandall Martin, PhD, MS, MScRaymond R. Tucker Distinguished Professor of Engineering, McKelvey School of Engineering, WashUTeam Lead, Air Quality and Health Research Initiative at WashU |
| 5:45 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Plenary Presentation |
| 6:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. | Moderated Panel and Group Discussion |
| 7:15 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Closing RemarksVijay K. Ramani, PhDVice Provost for Graduate Education and International Affairs, WashURoma B. and Raymond H. Wittcoff Distinguished University Professor, McKelvey School of Engineering, WashU |
| 7:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Networking and Cocktail Reception |
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Morning Program
Moore Auditorium, North Building, Medical Campus
| 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. | Registration and Breakfast |
| 9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. | Welcome and Opening RemarksVictoria J. Fraser, MDAdolphus Busch Professor of Medicine and Chair of the Department of Medicine, WashU School of Medicine |
| 9:15 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | A Glimpse at the New WashU School of Public Health and the Global Health Research NetworkSandro Galea, MD, DrPHMargaret C. Ryan Dean and Eugene S. and Constance Kahn Distinguished Professor, WashU School of Public HealthVice Provost for Interdisciplinary Initiatives, WashU |
| 9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | The Importance of Global Health for Gates FoundationJordan Tappero, MD, MPHDeputy Director of Neglected Tropical Diseases, Gates Foundation |
| 10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. | Break |
| 10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. | Impact Presentations and Panel on WashU Global Health ResearchDeath to Onchocerciasis and Lymphatic Filariasis (DOLF) ProjectPeter U. Fischer, PhDPrincipal Investigator, DOLF ProjectFeeding Futures: Project Peanut Butter’s Mission to Nourish, Heal, and EmpowerMark Manary, MDHelen B. Roberson Professor of Pediatrics, WashU School of MedicineLight Institute for Global Health and TransformationTemitope Ojo, PhDAssociate Director, Light InstituteOlufunto Olusanya, PhDAssociate Director, Light Institute |
| 11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | Moderated Panel and Group Discussion |
| 12:15 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Closing RemarksWilliam G. Powderly, MDJ. William Campbell Professor of MedicineLarry J. Shapiro Director, Institute for Public HealthAssociate Dean, Clinical and Translational ScienceDirector, Institute of Clinical and Translational ScienceCo-director, Infectious Diseases DivisionWashU School of Medicine |
Poster Session
Farrell Learning and Teaching Center Atrium, Medical Campus
| 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch and Poster session |
| 1:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Poster Award Announcements |
Sandro Galea, MD, DrPH | Speaker
Margaret C. Ryan Dean of the School of Public Health; Eugene S. & Constance Kahn Distinguished Professor in Public Health; Vice Provost for Interdisciplinary Initiatives; WashU
Sandro Galea, a physician, epidemiologist, and author, is the Margaret C. Ryan Dean and Eugene S. and Constance Kahn Distinguished Professor of the WashU School of Public Health. He was previously the dean and Robert A. Knox Professor at Boston University School of Public Health and has held academic and leadership positions at Columbia University, the University of Michigan, and the New York Academy of Medicine. He has published extensively in the peer-reviewed literature and is a regular contributor to a range of public media, about the social causes of health, mental health, and the consequences of trauma. He has been listed as one of the most widely cited scholars in the social sciences. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and has received several lifetime achievement awards.
Mary McKay, PhD | Opening Remarks
Executive Vice Provost, WashU
Mary McKay works across WashU to enhance interdisciplinary research and education to build collaborations that ensure the successful implementation of the university’s strategic plan. McKay’s academic experience connects deeply to social work, public health and social policy. She has received substantial federal funding for research focused on meeting the mental health needs of youth and families affected by poverty and has significant experience in child mental health services and implementation research methods. Supported by the National Institutes of Health, McKay has more than 30 years of experience conducting HIV prevention and care-oriented studies in the United States and nine countries.
William G. Powderly, MD | Closing Remarks
J. William Campbell Professor of Medicine; Larry J. Shapiro Director, Institute for Public Health; Associate Dean, Clinical and Translational Science; Director, Institute of Clinical and Translational Science; Co-director, Infectious Diseases Division; WashU School of Medicine
Bill Powderly has been actively involved in HIV-related clinical research for more than 30 years. He has been a member of numerous advisory groups on HIV and infectious diseases for the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and others. As director of the Institute for Public Health, Powderly has translated scientific advances to a wider population to improve public health. Powderly is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland, the Royal College of Physicians (London) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and is a former president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
Mary Woolley, | Keynote Speaker
President and CEO, Research!America
Mary Woolley is the president and CEO of Research!America, the leading alliance that advocates for science, discovery, and innovation to achieve better health for all. An elected member of the National Academy of Medicine, Woolley holds honorary doctoral degrees from Wayne State University and the Northeast Ohio Medical University. She has a 35-year publication history on science advocacy and research-related topics and is a sought-after speaker, quoted widely by the national media.
