Dr. Jeremy Farrar has spent more than three decades dedicated to understanding and preventing infectious diseases. His work in this field began long before the COVID-19 pandemic, when he led the global health charity Wellcome Trust for a decade. Now, as the chief scientist at the World Health Organization (WHO), Farrar is using his expertise to protect the world from emerging pathogens and other global health threats.
Farrar stepped into his role at the WHO last year, facing the daunting task of dealing with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic while also preparing for future threats. Despite some countries returning to normal and scaling back pandemic-related programs, the virus continues to spread and claim lives around the world. Farrar and his team are working tirelessly to translate scientific research into policies that will help contain the current threat and prepare for those on the horizon.
In addition to his work on COVID-19, Farrar is also focusing on addressing longstanding issues in global health, such as the impacts of climate change and the global mental health epidemic. By balancing the immediate needs of the current pandemic with efforts to build a stronger and more resilient global health system, Farrar is playing a crucial role in shaping the future of public health.