Saad B. Omer
Dr. Saad B. Omer is the inaugural Director of Yale Institute for Global Health. He is also a Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) at Yale School of Medicine and the Susan Dwight Bliss Professor of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases at Yale School of Public Health. Dr. Omer has conducted studies in the United States, Guatemala, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, South Africa, and Australia. Dr Omer’s research portfolio includes epidemiology of respiratory viruses such as influenza, RSV, and - more recently - SARS-Cov-2 (COVID-19); clinical trials to estimate efficacy of maternal and/or infant influenza, pertussis, polio, measles and pneumococcal vaccines; and trials to evaluate drug regimens to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Moreover, he has conducted several studies on interventions to increase immunization coverage and acceptance. His work has also included public health preparedness strategies to effectively respond to large emerging and re-emerging infectious disease outbreaks. Dr Omer’s work has been cited in global and country-specific policy recommendations and has informed clinical practice and health legislation in several countries. He has directly mentored over 100 junior faculty, clinical and research post-doctoral fellows, and PhD and other graduate students.
Dr. Omer has published widely in peer reviewed journals including the New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, Lancet, British Medical Journal, Pediatrics, American Journal of Public Health, Science, and Nature. Moreover, he has written op-eds for publications such as the New York Times, Politico, and the Washington Post.
Dr Omer has received multiple awards – including the Maurice Hilleman Award by the National Foundation of Infectious Diseases for his work on the impact of maternal influenza immunization on respiratory illness in infants younger than 6 months- for whom there is no vaccine. He has served on several advisory panels including the U.S. National Vaccine Advisory Committee, Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria - Vaccine Innovation Working Group, and WHO Expert Advisory Group for Healthcare Worker Vaccination. Moreover, he served as an academic affiliate of the Office of Evaluation Sciences –formerly known as the White House Social and Behavioral Sciences Team.
Dr. Omer has published widely in peer reviewed journals including the New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, Lancet, British Medical Journal, Pediatrics, American Journal of Public Health, Science, and Nature. Moreover, he has written op-eds for publications such as the New York Times, Politico, and the Washington Post.
Dr Omer has received multiple awards – including the Maurice Hilleman Award by the National Foundation of Infectious Diseases for his work on the impact of maternal influenza immunization on respiratory illness in infants younger than 6 months- for whom there is no vaccine. He has served on several advisory panels including the U.S. National Vaccine Advisory Committee, Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria - Vaccine Innovation Working Group, and WHO Expert Advisory Group for Healthcare Worker Vaccination. Moreover, he served as an academic affiliate of the Office of Evaluation Sciences –formerly known as the White House Social and Behavioral Sciences Team.
Honors & AwardsM.A. Privatum - 2019: An honorary master’s degree awarded by Yale University.
Christiaan Eijkman Invited Lecture - 2018: This invited lecture at University Medical Center Utrecht is named after the Dutch Nobel Prize winner who discovered Vitamin B1. William H. Foege Chair in Global Health – 2016-2019: This endowed chair was established in honor of Dr. William (Bill) Foege with a gift from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Dr. Foege is a former CDC Director and is credited for devising the global strategy that led to smallpox eradication. Millipub Club Award – 2015 & 2017: Recognizes individuals who have published one or more papers that have each garnered more than 1000 citations. Awarded for 5 papers. Bruce Squires Award -2014: Presented annually to the authors of a research article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal that "promotes high standards of reporting and evidence-based medicine." Fellow, Infectious Diseases Society of America -2014: Recognizes individuals who have achieved professional excellence and provided significant service to the profession. Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society Young Investigator Award -2013: Presented by the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society for "independent & productive research that represents outstanding contributions in pediatric infectious diseases." Maurice R. Hilleman Early-stage Career Investigator Award -2009: Presented by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. The award recognizes individuals in the field of vaccinology based on a specific research contribution and their overall career trajectory. Infectious Diseases Society of America Program Choice Award -2009: Presented by the Infectious Diseases Society based on the recommendation of the IDSA program choice committee Global Health Institute, Faculty Distinction Fund Award -2008: Presented by Emory University’s Global Health Institute |
Education & TrainingPhD - Global Disease Epidemiology and Control Program - Department of International Health; Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
MPH - Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland MBBS -The Aga Khan University Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan Panels & Working Groups (Selected)National Academy of Medicine/NASEM, Committee on Equitable Allocation of Vaccine for the Novel Coronavirus. 2020-Present.
World Health Organization, Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) Working Group on COVID-19 Vaccines. 2020-Present. Board of Trustees Sabin Vaccine Institute. 2019-Present World Health Org. Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety. 2019-Present Vaccination Acceptance Research Network (VARN) Steering Committee. 2018-2020 World Health Org. Healthcare Worker Influenza Vaccine Independent Expert Advisory Group. 2018-2019 World Health Org. (WHO-EMRO) Regional Technical Advisory Group for Immunization in the Eastern Mediterranean. 2017-2019 Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria - Vaccine Innovation Working Group. 2016-2017 Pan American Health Organization, Maternal Immunization Working Group (PAHO MIG). 2015 -present National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC). Member 2014-2018 Public Health Committee, Infectious Diseases Society of America. 2014-2017 |
