LSHTM experts appointed to high-level WHO advisory group
27 August 2026 London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine https://lshtm.ac.uk/themes/custom/lshtm/images/lshtm-logo-black.png
Three experts from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) have been selected to join the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Science Council.
In this role, Professor Liam Smeeth, Professor Dina Balabanova and Dr Iris Blom will advise the WHO about high-priority scientific issues and advances that could directly impact global health.
The Council brings together 21 leading scientists and experts from across disciplines, regions and generations.
WHO Director-General, and LSHTM alumnus, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus established the WHO Science Council in April 2021 as an independent group of world-renowned experts to provide guidance on the science and research strategy of the WHO. By providing strategic, independent scientific advice and anticipating high-impact scientific advances, the Science Council supports the WHO in identifying emerging health trends, risks and opportunities, and ensuring it remains at the forefront of developments in global health.
Dr Tedros said: “The pace of scientific discovery is accelerating at an extraordinary rate, from artificial intelligence and biotechnology to advances such as gene editing, synthetic biology and robotics, to new approaches for disease prevention, diagnosis and care.
"WHO is strengthening its ability to look ahead, identify transformative developments, and ensure that the benefits of scientific progress are translated into better health for people everywhere.”
Who are the LSHTM experts becoming new members of the WHO Science Council?
Liam Smeeth, who has been the Director of LSHTM since 2021, is a professor of clinical epidemiology and a global leader in using computerised health data for research. He also has 35 years of experience working as a medical doctor in the NHS. He was awarded a CBE in the King’s birthday honours in 2025 for services to public health.
Dina Balabanova is Professor of Health Systems and Policy at LSHTM. An internationally-recognised health systems researcher, her work focuses on governance, people-centred service delivery, and health system strengthening in low- and middle-income countries. She led the Rockefeller Foundation-funded Good Health at Low Cost: 25 Years On programme and co-chairs the Lancet Global Health Commission on anti-corruption in health.
Iris Blom, who has been made a youth member of the WHO Science Council, is a medical doctor, climate-health researcher and policy expert. She recently completed her PhD at LSHTM on greenhouse gas mitigation in healthcare systems, and is a researcher with the Pathfinder Initiative. She is also a founding member of the WHO Youth Council, and continues to support meaningful youth engagement in global health governance.
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