Dr. Kathleen Neuzil

Dr. Kathleen Neuzil leads the Gates Foundation’s work to eradicate polio and strengthen health systems that support immunization and disease surveillance. With over 25 years of experience in global vaccine development, implementation, and policy, she joined the foundation in 2025 from the National Institutes of Health, where she served as associate director for international research and director of the Fogarty International Center. Previously, she was the Myron M. Levine Professor in Vaccinology and director of the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and earlier served on the faculty at the University of Washington and led vaccine development programs at PATH. Dr. Neuzil has guided major clinical trials for multiple vaccines, shaped global immunization policy, authored more than 375 scientific publications, and is a member of the National Academy of Medicine. She holds degrees from the University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins, and Vanderbilt.