Science Council
The World Health Organization's Science Council acts as the voice of scientific leadership directly advising the Director-General about high-priority scientific issues, and advances in science and technology that could directly impact global health. The Science Division will facilitate the Council’s activity in setting the top WHO science, research and innovation priorities, independently from programme specifics, and focusing on areas where gaps exist.
A laboratory technician cuts a piece of gel
WHO / P. Phutpheng
© Credits

The Science Council was established in April 2021 by the Director-General of the World Health Organization to provide guidance on the science and research strategy of the organization.

The Science Council has the following functions:

  • Evaluate urgent, high priority scientific issues and provide input and guidance on translating them to public health impact in furtherance of WHO’s mission;
  • Identify current and new science and technology issues that WHO needs to address, including global health threats, and new advances with a potential for direct or indirect impact on global health;
  • Provide strategic orientation to WHO’s actions in science, research and innovation;
  • Participate in the rapid and confidential review of WHO normative products, when requested by the Director-General; and
  • Undertake other duties and functions consistent with these Terms of Reference, when requested by the Director-General

 

Vision:

To ensure that WHO has a strong pre-emptive research agenda and prioritization guided by an external body of renowned scientist. 

Mission:

As an independent scientific council to WHO we are uniquely positioned provide strategic recommendations for WHO’s actions in science, research and innovation to the Director-General.

Who are we?

The Science Council is comprised of globally renowned and accomplished scientists who have made extraordinary contributions in their field of expertise.

Ways of working:

The Science Council can provides recommendations and advice to the WHO Director-General on relevant emerging topics and technologies through focused reports.

 

Chair

Harold Varmus

Lewis Thomas University Professor of Medicine at the Meyer Cancer Center of Weill Cornell Medicine, USA

Learn more

Vice-Chair

Adeeba Kamarulzaman

President and Pro Vice Chancellor, Monash University, Malaysia

Learn more

Members

Science Council is currently comprised of 10 members, who serve in their personal capacity and represent a broad range of disciplines encompassing many aspects of science, ranging from basic research to public health implementation science.

Members are recruited and selected as acknowledged experts from around the world in the fields of basic science, translational and clinical research, social sciences, epidemiology and public health.

The current members are:

Edith Heard

Director General of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Germany and Professor College de France

Salim Abdool Karim

Director of the Centre for the AIDS program of research in South Africa (CAPRISA), South Africa

Mary-Claire King

Professor of Genome Sciences and Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA

Jean William (Bill) Pape

Director and Founder of GHESKIO, Haiti

Firdausi Qadri

Senior Director of the Infectious Diseases Division at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh

Abla Mehio Sibai

Professor of Epidemiology and Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Lebanon

Cesar G. Victora

Emeritus Professor of Epidemiology at the Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil

Yongyuth Yuthavong

Senior Specialist, National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, NSTDA, Thailand

Disclaimer
In order to enhance its management of Conflicts of Interest as well as strengthen public trust and transparency in connection with WHO meetings involving the provision of technical/normative advice, the names and brief biographies of individuals (“Published Information” ) being considered for participation in such meetings are disclosed for public notice and comment.
The Published Information is provided by the experts themselves and is the sole responsibility of the individuals concerned. WHO is not responsible for the accuracy, veracity and completeness of the Published Information provided.  Furthermore, in no event will WHO be responsible or liable for damages in relation to the use of, and reliance upon, the Published Information.
The comments received by WHO through the public notice and comment process are treated confidentially and their receipt will be acknowledged through a generic email notification to the sender. Comments and perceptions brought to the knowledge of WHO through this process are an integral component of WHO’s conflict of interest assessment policy and are carefully reviewed. WHO reserves the right to discuss information received through this process with the relevant expert with no attribution to the provider of such information. Upon review and assessment of the information received through this process, WHO, in its sole discretion, may take appropriate management action in accordance with its policies.  
The participation of an expert in a WHO meeting does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the World Health Organization nor does it create a binding relationship between the expert and WHO.  
The list of participating experts, a summary of relevant interests disclosed by such experts, and any appropriate mitigation measures taken by WHO relating to the management of conflicts of interests, will be reported publicly in accordance with WHO practice.

Science Council Secretariat

Anna Laura Ross

Head of the secretariat, Science Council

Danny Sheath

Technical Officer for the Science Council

Veronique Bruniquel

Administrative assistant to the Science Council