Dr. Albert Ko, MD, has been selected as the new president-elect of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH), the largest international scientific organization of experts dedicated to reducing the global burden of tropical infectious diseases and enhancing global health.
Ko’s term as president-elect begins on November 13, 2025. He will serve a one-year term as president-elect, followed by a year as president of the organization, and then another year as past-president for a cumulative three-year term in a presidential role.
“It is an honor to be elected by colleagues at ASTMH, who have been at the forefront of combating infectious disease across the world and correcting the inequities created by these diseases,” Ko said.
An infectious disease physician and epidemiologist, Ko is the Raj and Indra Nooyi Professor of Public Health and Professor of Epidemiology (Microbial Diseases) at the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH). He is also a Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) at Yale School of Medicine. His research interests include zoonotic diseases, infectious diseases, health equity, maternal and child health, and global health.
Ko has a long history of success in forging global research collaborations, a skill he expects will be valuable in his new role, given the current funding environment for global scientific research.
“We face challenges created by recent changes in U.S. policy, but this crisis is an opportunity to re-envision how our society will make an impact on global health and build the global partnerships needed to make this happen,” Ko said.
Ko is currently a collaborating researcher at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation of the Brazilian Ministry of Health where he has done extensive research into Zika virus infection and its association with birth defects. During his lengthy career in public health, Ko spearheaded interventions to epidemics of meningitis, leptospirosis, dengue, and other infectious diseases. He was the first to genetically manipulate the Leptospira pathogen and identify its virulence factors, which led to improved diagnostic tests and new vaccine and therapeutic candidates. His work has led to significant reductions of disease in Brazil. During COVID-19, Ko served as co-leader of the Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group at the request of Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, where he advised state officials on COVID-19 prevention and control.
Ko said he is looking forward to working with his esteemed colleagues at ASTMH to continue the organization’s public service and global impact.
“ASTMH was created with the mission of using science for the public good,” said Ko. “We need to double down on this mission if we are to ensure that future generations of scientists, across academia, industry, and public service, continue to improve health and well-being globally.”