Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove is an American infectious disease epidemiologist who serves as the Technical Lead for the COVID-19 response and the Head of the Emerging Diseases and Zoonoses Unit at the World Health Organization (WHO). Based in Geneva, she specializes in high-threat pathogens and has been a primary spokesperson for the WHO during global health crises, translating complex scientific data into public guidance.
Career and Expertise: Before joining the WHO permanently in 2017, she worked as an epidemiologist in Cambodia studying avian flu and led outbreak investigation task forces at the Institut Pasteur. Her research focuses on zoonotic transmission of viruses such as Ebola, MERS-CoV, Zika, and mpox, bridging the gap between field research and public health policy.
Current Leadership: As of April 2025, she also serves as the Acting Director of the Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Threat Management at the WHO. In this capacity, she manages global incident responses and strengthens international preparedness for future pandemics.