Global Scientific Committee

Pr. Evelyne de Leeuw is professor and holds the Canada Excellence in Research Chair ‘One Urban Health’ at the Université de Montréal, Canada. The Chair connects two exciting health promotion fields: Healthy Cities and One Health. She is also Professorial Research Fellow at the University of New South Wales (Sydney) ‘Cities Institute’ – here she assists in health promotion dimensions of urbanism and healthy public policy.

Evelyne has a decades long connection to the global health promotion community. She was at the eponymous Ottawa Conference in 1986, and associated with the peer reviewed journal Health Promotion International for nearly 20 years. With Patrick Fafard she edits a book series on health political science. An upcoming book with Cambridge University Press looks at ‘Intersectorality and One Urban Health’.”

Dr Mumtaz Meeran is a lead Health Promotion Specialist at the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) since 2020. Her current role focusses on physical activity, workplace wellness and raising awareness of key public health priorities aimed at improving health literacy, lowering non-communicable disease burden and improving quality of life. As the physical activity lead, she played a crucial role in the organization of the very successful 9th International Society for Physical Activity and Health (ISPAH) congress held in October 2022.

Prior to this, Mumtaz worked across several NHS trusts and local authorities in London, United Kingdom covering a wide portfolio ranging from maternal and child health, children’s public health, cancer screening, risk assessment and prevention programs and end of life care. She holds master’s degrees in public health (MSc) and Nutrition (MSc) from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and King’s College London respectively. She holds a full General Medical Council registration with licence to practise in the UK and has published work in journals on barriers to cancer screening uptake in ethnic minority groups and public health programs. She is passionate about prevention, tackling health inequalities and provision of high quality health care.

Ali Mohammad Al Mazyood is a highly accomplished Consultant in Healthcare Engineering & Planning, backed by over two decades of experience in architectural design and project management. His career has been defined by a passion for innovation and a drive to transform the healthcare landscape through the strategic integration of technology, particularly AI. Currently serving as a Consultant at the Dubai Health Authority’s Health Regulation Sector, Ali plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of healthcare infrastructure in Dubai. He is actively involved in the Regulation and Licensing Department, where he meticulously reviews and evaluates the design and healthcare planning of private hospitals and clinics seeking DHA approval. His expertise ensures that these facilities adhere to the highest standards of quality and patient care. Furthermore, Ali contributes to the development and refinement of standards and guidelines related to engineering and healthcare planning, ensuring that the regulatory framework remains at the forefront of industry best practices. In addition to his regulatory role, Ali has been instrumental in planning, designing, and overseeing the development of state-of-the-art healthcare facilities, including landmark projects like Al Jalila Children Specialty Hospital and the Dubai Healthcare Infrastructure. These projects stand as a testament to his dedication to excellence and his ability to translate strategic vision into tangible reality. Ali’s expertise extends beyond project management. His previous roles at Dubai Municipality, where he served as the Assistant Director General Office for Engineering and Planning, equipped him with a deep understanding of strategic planning, team leadership, and the complexities of large-scale projects. He also brings a unique entrepreneurial perspective, having founded companies focused on construction and consultancy, advising VIP clients on their business strategies and construction projects. His commitment to staying at the forefront of healthcare innovation is evident in his pursuit of certifications in AI and his publication on managing DHA mega projects. Ali’s ability to bridge the gap between architectural design, project management, and cutting-edge technology makes him a valuable asset in the ever-evolving healthcare industry. He is fluent in both Arabic and English, enabling him to thrive in diverse environments and bring a unique perspective to every project he undertakes.

Ana Gherghel, Ph.D, is Head of Scientific Affairs, at the IUHPE_UIPES, and Managing Editor of the journal Global Health Promotion since 2020. She is a social scientist, researcher, specialist in storytelling and life course approach, as well as a consultant in program evaluation, especially for innovation projects, involving participative, mixed and developmental approaches. She holds a PhD in sociology from Laval University (Québec, Canada), as well as a MA and a BA in sociology at the University of Bucharest (Romania). Her professional experience in research and consulting, in Romania, Portugal and Canada, includes research projects with academic institutions and health and social services systems, as well as collaborations with community-based organizations. Her research interests relate to personal development and protective factors during life turning points, especially in a context of immigration. As consultant in evaluation, she collaborated with Indigenous nations partnerships to develop culturally adapted evaluations for innovative projects enhancing collective mobilization and prevention to sustain global development in early childhood.

Dr. Aysha Ibrahim Al Dhaheri is a Section Head in Health Promotion Section since 2015, Department of Health Promotion at Abu Dhabi Public Health Center and Department of Health Abu Dhabi. She holds a Bachelor degree in Medicine & general surgery (MBBS), in 2002 and a Master degree in Public Health (MPH), 2014, from UAEU. As well, Certified Public Health Professionals (CPH) from the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE), she had about 19 years of experience with lots of achievements in public health. Technically, led the 9th International Society for Physical Activity & Health (ISPAH 2022) that held for the first time in the middle east. Played a major role in COVID19 crisis advocacy, awareness and volunteers management (2020- 2021). Other assignements: Advisory Board member for Graduate Programs (PhD and MSc) of the Department of Nutrition and Health (DNH), College of Medicine and Health Sciences at the UAEU; Advisory Board member of Master in public health in Zayed university & Abu Dhabi university ; A member of Al Nukbah program under the Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau in the Department of Culture & Tourism; Has been acting as lecturer in the College of Medicine & Health Sciences – UAE University for the past 12 years.

Bhavna B. Mukhopadhyay is Currently working as the Chief Executive of Voluntary Health Association of India, New Delhi, a leading public health organization established in 1970 with a mission to make health and development a reality for the people of India & Executive Board Member of IUHPE. She has an experience of over 25 years of experience in non-profit sector, with many accolades to my credit and competency in several domains of public health & development.

Bhavna is recognized as a strategic leader, particularly for her contributions to advancing public health policy in India through strong technical partnerships with both national and state governments.

Her expertise spans policy advocacy, designing and implementing sustainable health and development programs, managing large networks, and fostering public-private partnerships in the health sector. Bhavna has successfully demonstrated how public health programs can be scaled to maximize impact, particularly for marginalized communities.

She currently serves on several technical advisory committees for the Central and State Governments and provides strategic guidance on cross-functional teams working across various public health themes, including health promotion, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and tobacco control, immunization, reproductive health and rights, food and nutrition security, tuberculosis prevention, and COVID-19 control.

Bhavna has also led post-disaster relief and rehabilitation initiatives in India, which earned the Indian Merchant Trust Award for outstanding contributions. As the founder of Kala Aparajita, she supports self-help initiatives for low-income artisan groups by promoting their arts and crafts.

Notably, she has made exceptional contributions to tobacco control policy, with VHAI’s tobacco control initiative receiving the WHO Regional Director’s Award for its impactful advocacy in multiple Indian states. Bhavna has authored, edited, and contributed to numerous publications, research reports, policy papers, and media articles. She is a sought-after expert and speaker at national and international conferences.

Professor Diane Levin-Zamir, PhD, MPH, MCHES, is the National Director of the Health Promotion Department of Clalit, Israel’s largest healthcare organization, Full Professor of Public Health at the University of Haifa, and teaches at Tel Aviv University Medical School’s School of Public Health. Her contribution to health literacy is global, international, regional and local. On the global level, she founded the IUHPE Health Literacy Global Working Group along with colleagues in 2010, and is active to date. She actively supported the establishment of the International Health Literacy Association, serving on its first Board of Directors, and leads the program development for the organization’s global summits. Diane is scientific advisor to AHLA since the organization was launched, participating in conferences to advance knowledge and cooperation/partnership for health literacy in the region. She is the Research Co-Chair for the WHO Action Network on Measuring Population and Organizational Health Literacy (MPOHL), and chairs the Technical Advisory Group for the Behavioral and Cultural Insights (BCI) Unit, WHO-EUROPE. She chairs the Israel Health Ministry’s National Health Promotion Council and has extensively published articles, chapters, and co-edited books, specializing in health promotion/health literacy action, research and policy, focusing on special populations, cultural appropriateness, communities, hospitals, primary care and media/digital settings. She serves as PI for the Israel National Health Literacy Survey and scientific advisor for international health literacy associations. She is Associate Editor of the Global Health Promotion journal.

Edmund holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Ghana and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Sikkim Manipal University.

He is currently a global Co-Chair for IUHPEs International Students and Early Career Network (ISECN). Edmund has over 20 years, of experience working with and for young people. He has an interest in Social behaviour change, media information literacy, policy formulation, and advocacy, working with and for communities, reproductive health, and social protection for vulnerable groups, especially children.

Edmund hopes to join one of the UN agencies or an international organisation where he will bring his vast experience to bear. He also looks forward to pursuing a PhD in Global/Public Health (his research interest is in investigating how children in prisons/ juvenile correctional facilities are able to access healthcare in developing countries).

He loves to travel and also learn from new cultures from around the world.

17 years’ experience in health care management, public health polices, health literacy and food safety education. Before joining Ministry of Health and Prevention UAE, Ms. Fatima began her career as Food Health Officer at Dubai Municipality in 2007, later she moved through different positions in the Food Safety Department and was also a member of Food Poisoning Investigation team and as well as in charge of events and registration committee at DIFSC 2010-2015. At MOHAP joined in 2016, she served as Head of Health Education section and now working as Head of Health Promotion Program Section, working on different plans and programs including strategic and national planning, developing guidelines, mass media campaigns, school health program and education, community field events and worked as member of NCEMA awareness team.

Currently Member of:

• National Nutrition Survey
• National Program to Combat Child Obesity
• Healthy Cities Project GCC (Health Promoting Schools, Healthy Malls)

Dr Faten Ben Abdelaziz is Head of the Enhanced Wellbeing Unit in the Department of Health Promotion at the World Health Organization Headquarters, providing technical support to WHO Member States in policies and programmes development in areas of health promotion. She oversees the work on good governance for health and well-being societies, including healthy cities, health promoting schools, health literacy and community engagement. Her current work focus is on intersectoral governance and policies that promote well-being of societies, promoting population levels health literacy, community empowerment, urban governance for health and well-being and health promoting schools. Dr Ben Abdelaziz has previously served at the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMRO) as Regional Adviser for Health Education and Promotion and Coordinator of Health promotion in the Department of Prevention of Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). At the WHO Centre for Health Development in Kobe, Japan, she served as Technical Officer for Health Promotion, Urbanization and health, Health equity, Women’s health and Gender, and Social Determinants of Health.

Dr Iffat Elbarazi, (BSN & HEDip (AUB)), MHS (Latrobe Uni), DrPH (Flinders Uni), is an Assistant Professor in Health Promotion with over 25 years of experience in academia, healthcare, patient services, community health education, and promotion. She has worked in various countries around the world before settling in the UAE. She was awarded the Faculty of Public Health by Distinction from the UK Faculty of Public Health. Dr. Iffat has initiated and participated in numerous collaborative studies. Her research interests are diverse and include health promotion and education, vaccine hesitancy, cancer education, psychosocial and mental health, chronic disease prevention, women’s health, and healthy lifestyle determinants and practices. She was recognized for excellence in research and patients’ support, for undergraduate teaching, and outreach. Dr. Iffat has a strong background in qualitative research and behavioral change theories. She specializes in employing qualitative methodologies to explore health behaviors, attitudes, and experiences Her expertise in qualitative research encompasses designing and conducting interviews, focus groups, and ethnographic studies. Her dedication to qualitative research has provided deeper insights into the psychosocial aspects of health, enhancing the efficacy of health promotion and education programs globally.

Dr Maha El-Adawy (retired) hold the position of the Director of the Department of Healthier Populations in the World Health Organization, Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO). She has been in this post since July of 2016. Previously, Dr El-Adawy held the position of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative to the Islamic Republic of Iran from August 2015 to July 2016. She also held the position of Program and Technical Regional Advisor, Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights in UNFPA Regional Office both in New York, USA and later in Cairo, Egypt from January 2009 to August 2015. Dr El-Adawy was the Policy Adviser for Health in the Bureau of Development Policy, UNDP in New York, USA from June 2007 to December 2008. She was leading the work on health in the Millennium Development Goals Support Team. Between March 2000 and until June 2007, Dr El Adawy was the Senior Regional Reproductive Health and Reproductive Rights Program Officer at The Ford Foundation, New York, USA. She held other senior health positions at the European Commission (EC) Delegation in Cairo, Egypt leading the Health Sector Reform project and in the Data for Decision Making project at Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, USA. Dr El-Adawy holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt. She holds a master’s degree in Public Health from Cairo University, Egypt. Dr El-Adawy holds a master’s degree of Public Health (MPH) in Maternal and Child Health from Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, USA as well as a Doctorate degree of Public Health from Cairo University, Egypt. She holds an Eisenhower fellowship for leadership development from the Eisenhower Fellowship program, Philadelphia, USA. She also completed a Takemi fellowship from Harvard School of Public Health. Dr El-Adawy worked as a consultant with several international organizations, non-governmental organizations including UNICEF, World Bank and the American University in Beirut and the American University in Cairo.

Dr. Maha Mohamed Alawi Alsafi Alhashmi is currently leading the Public health research team, delivering one of the core functions of Public health. She is physician by education, completed her Internal medicine residency in Sheikh Khalifa Medical City , worked as an Internal medicine Specialist for 9 years before joining ADPHC. While in SKMC, she published a number of research papers during the residency program. Since joining the Public health research, in the Health Promotion department, Dr. Maha has been actively involved in a wide range of activities related to Public Health research, leveraging the previous experience and knowledge. Dr. Maha took part in preparing and reviewing the standards of weight management, coordinating and executing a number of research papers in different public health areas, actively participating and presenting in national public health conferences, editor of the quarterly scientific report issued by the research team, and a member in the national obesity taskforce committee, participated in educational activities including developing a course for college students on “ Research Priorities in Public Health “.

Majda Sebbani is Head of the Department of Public Health at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Marrakech in Morocco. A specialist professor in public health, community medicine, preventive medicine, epidemiology and hygiene, and a physician by training, she holds a Master MpH in health intervention and promotion from Nancy (France), as well as a doctorate in health promotion and a DU in university pedagogy (UCA). She is currently pursuing a PhD in medical education at the Medical Education Development and Research Unit (UDREM) at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Geneva in Switzerland. Majda teaches at the Faculty of Medicine of Marrakech (UCA), and works as a researcher in the clinical research department at the Mohammed VI University Hospital in Marrakech – Morocco. She is a trainer, expert consultant and author of works published in indexed journals. She is also a professional coach LCP- ACSTH accredited by the International Federation of Coaching (ICF). She holds the position of deputy correspondent at REFIPS (International Francophone Health Promotion Network), and is a member of the French monitoring committee of the Institutional Self-Assessment Tool in Social Accountability (ISAT), developed and hosted since 2021 within The Network: Towards Unity for Health (TUFH) in social accountability.

Marco Akerman is Full Professor of the School of Public Health/University of São Paulo; Latin America Vice President of the International Union of Health Promotion and Education (2010-2016); Chair of the Working Group on Health Promotion and Sustainable Development of the Brazilian Association of Public Health (2011-2016). Former PAHO Regional Consultant on Local Development and Health and Focal Point on Social Determinants of Health. Marco Akerman focuses his consulting activities, teaching and research in the areas of evaluation of public policies, intersectoral action for health equity and social determinants of health. In 2014, he led a review process of the National Health Promotion Policy in Brazil activating multiple simultaneous movements with intense social participation.

Martín Zemel is the Regional VP for Latin America of IUHPE. He has a PhD in Dentistry, Master of Dental Education and completed the Master of Public Health at UNLP. His experience has been focused on Health Promotion and Equity in Health from an intercultural and intersectoral perspective grounded in Human Rights.

He is Professor of Bioethics at the National University of La Plata and of Public Health at the University of FASTA. Annually he is invited to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Bioethics and Public Health, in different faculties in Argentina and in other countries. He is also the Dean of the School of Dentistry of FASTA University.

He began in research through the Postgraduate Scholarship Program of the National University of La Plata and later in the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET), doing a postdoctoral stay at the University of Murcia, Spain. He has been in charge of various local, national and international Committees, and actually he is member of the National Honorary Council on Oral Health of Argentina. In addition, he is Academic of number of the National Academy of Dentistry of Argentina.

Additionally, for over 20 years, he has coordinated a network of health promotion consisting of 35 Public Health Centers and 50 educational institutions. Among the areas of work are the Social Determinants of Health, health literacy and the Health Promoting Schools.

He has contributed by advising legislative processes that resulted in local and regional regulations related to the prevention of risk factors for NCDs. Furthermore, in recent years, he has promoted the creation and development of a regional oral cancer prevention program through a multisectoral effort that has enabled low-income sectors to access free diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Mojgan Sami, PhD, MA, is an Assistant Professor of Health Equity at California State University Fullerton (CSUF). She earned her doctorate in Urban Planning from the School of Social Ecology at the University of California, Irvine, with an emphasis on Public Health. She also earned a Master’s degree in International Law and Economics from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. She teaches courses on health equity, global and community health promotion with an emphasis on planetary justice. Dr. Sami investigates health disparities and outcomes through systems analysis, with extensive experience using mixed methods such as ecological momentary observations, in-depth interviews, focus groups, and community based participatory research. She served as a lead researcher for a 3-year CDC funded mixed method project in Orange County assessing the impact of the built environment on physical activity in the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove and Santa Ana in California. She is currently working on an NIH grant exploring the impacts of discrimination on substance use behaviors in Black, Latinx and Asian communities in the United States. Dr. Sami serves on the Board of Directors for the American Heart Association in southern California, and serves as co-Chair of the Global Working Group (GWG) on Planetary Health with International Union of Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE). She has served as an advisor with the World Health Organization, where she worked prior to her academic career.

Doctor of Sciences, Master in Ecology, Bachelor and licenciate in Biology. Interest in Research on Climate and Environmental Changes Affecting Health and Transition to Sustainable Development. Consultant for Curriculum Design for Graduation. With over two decades of experience in higher education, in interdisciplinary research in Health Promotion and Environmental Health, Climate Change and Health, Coordinator of master’s degree in health technologies, University Center of Patos de Minas, Brazil.

Nouf Khamis Al Ali, Director of Health Promotion Department at the Ministry of Health & Prevention in the United Arab Emirates. Nouf has worked on different initiatives and programs that aim at promoting healthy lifestyles in the United Arab Emirates. In this position, she is primarily responsible for coordinating technical aspects and for overseeing program implementation of a number of national programs like National Program to Combat Childhood Obesity, National Strategy for Nutrition and healthy lifestyle awareness activities.

With her experience in healthy diet, physical activity and obesity prevention, Nouf participate in planning and development of policies, strategies and projects that aims at promoting health at local, regional or national level. Nouf is also a member in a number of committees locally and regionally in relation to healthy diet and physical activity.

H.E Dr. Omniyat Mohammed Al Hajeri is Executive director of Community health sector in Abu Dhabi Public Health Center. Specialized in the field of public health and leadership, she holds roles as consultant diabetes, endocrinology and metabolic diseases; University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine (2011-2014); Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Member of the Board of Directors (from 2021 till now). Other assignments include : Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company, Member of the Board of Directors from 2016 till 2019; Board Member of the Academy of Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Women’s Sport, 2012 till now; Abu Dhabi Media Company, Board Member 2014-2016. Awards: Awarded the Chairman of The Executive Council Medal – the category of Best Executive Director in 2013 in addition to more than 25 academic awards and medals and more than 10 other recognition awards. She holds a PhD in Public Health and Leadership at Johns Hopkins University (2020), a Master’s Degree in Security Studies, Strategy and Resource Management from the National Defense College (2015), a Master of Public Health in Health Care Management and Leadership JHSPH Bloomberg School of Public Health-May (2011) and MB, BCH, BAO, LRCPS & NUI, the Royal College of Surgeons- Ireland (1999). Membership of the Royal College of Physicians MRCP- Ireland (2001). DrPH in Health Care Management and Leadership JHSPH Bloomberg School of Public Health ongoing.

Dr. Paolo Contu is full professor of Public Health and Health Promotion, at the Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Italy. He occupies various functions such as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, at University of Cagliari (2012-2015, 2024-2027) , Coordinator of the Citizens Satisfaction Program of the University Hospital of Cagliari, President of the National Board of Public Health Bachelor Courses. He is Vice-president for Europe, at the International Union Health Promotion and Education (2019 –2025), and a member of the IUHPE Executive Board since 2007, with roles as Vice President for Capacity Building (2010-2016), Communications (2016-2019). His research focuses in the area of epidemiology and health promotion (clinical epidemiology, biostatistics, salutogenesis, action research, participatory methods).

Dr. Priya Balasubramaniam is a public health practitioner, innovator and researcher with over two decades’ years of experience in shaping health system capacity and research in South and Southeast Asia, Africa, the United States and Canada with field-based research as well as in strategic program development in developed and emerging heath markets. Her interests and expertise cover universal health coverage, antimicrobial stewardship, the private sector and digital technology/AI innovation directed at strengthening mixed health systems in low and middle-income countries.

As director of the Centre for Sustainable Health Innovations, Singapore/India she leads the tripartite- Innovations for UHC Collaborative to catalyse south-south partnerships around leveraging low-cost technological innovations and AI in new models of healthcare in Asia and Africa. She is co-founder of the Mutual Learning Platform for Mixed Health Systems launched in 2020 in response to the COVID 19 pandemic- that convenes the private sector and public health sector innovators and stakeholders for evidence sharing and building interventional capacity for stronger health. She is the recent co-author of a seminal report: Towards digital transformation for Universal Health Coverage – on digital equity, accountability and new types digital partnerships

As Senior Public Health Scientist and Director Strategy and External Partnerships, at the Public Health Foundation of India, she was secretariat director for the Government of India’s High Level Expert Group recommendations on universal health coverage, part of the country’s 12th Five Year Plan. She is a senior Fellow at Results for Development Results for Development Institute, Washington DC. Dr. Balasubramaniam serves on the expert committee of the WHO Private Sector Engagement for NCD Prevention and Control. She is the coordinating lead of the Private Sector in Health Thematic Working Group of Health Systems Global.

Her projects on health services delivery includes a partnership with the Consortia of Affordable Technologies (CamTech) which mentors and seed-funds early stage social impact health innovations around NCD’s in Asia and Africa and the Grand Challenges Grant winner, the Biodiaspora Partnership that uses AI based modelling to track and monitor infectious and vector borne disease through human movement patterns.

Dr. Balasubramaniam serves on the editorial boards of the Oxford Open Journal of Digital Health,the Journal of Infrastructure and health, the International Journal of Health Governance, and is regional editorial advisor to Oxford University Press’s Healthy Cities and Communities Encyclopaedia.

Dr. Balasubramaniam is a senior fellow at the Results for Development Institute, Washington DC, visiting faculty at NUS, Singapore and the Keenan Research Centre, St. Micheal’s Hospital Toronto, Canada. She has been a frequent advisor on health technologies and health systems and policy to numerous multi-bi lateral organisations including WHO, IDRC Canada, the European Commission, World Bank,etc, Dr. Balasubramaniam has authored several reports, , policy briefs as well as peer-reviewed publications over her career as both a clinician and researcher. She works closely with municipal and state governments regionally and served on taskforces on Primary Healthcare constituted Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and was a member of the Technical Review Group on Urban Health constituted by the Ministry of Urban Development and with regional governments in East Asia and Africa.

Dr. Shereena K. Al Mazrouei is Director, Health promotion & Public health programs, at Abu Dhabi Public Health Center. She is a Medical Doctor by background, graduated from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) / UAE University in Al Ain (June 2003), MPH (UAEU), as well as completed Harvard Medical School Global Clinical Scholars Training (GCSRT) Program (July 2013-June 2014)- Epidemiology concentration. She joint DOH in 2006 and led multiple programs such as the introduction and first implementation of the HPV vaccine in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi; congenital heart diseases screening of the newborn using pulse Oximetry; My Health Coach application in addition to other programs. Worked and participated in forming the policies and standards related to maternal and child health in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Currently leading the Health promotion & public health programs department/Abu Dhabi Public Health center, leading multiple Public health programs – public health training, research, stakeholder management and health promotion and member of the Local research COVID-19 committee, as well as COVID-19 taskforce in ADPHC.

Dr Viliami Puloka is a public health physician government of Tonga currently working in New Zealand as research fellow and lecturer with the University of Otago. Over the last ten years, he was a Senior Health Promotion Strategist with the Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand. He actively participated in the organization of the 23rd IUHPE Conference in 2019. Before moving to New Zealand, he led the fight against non-communicable diseases with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community based in Noumea, New Caledonia. He was Team leader supporting the 22 Pacific Island countries and Territories. Prior to that, Viliami worked as a clinician, as well as public health practitioner in his homeland of Tonga. He became the first director of Health Promotion and instrumental in the establishment of Tonga Health Promotion Foundation, one of the few in the region.

Dr William Datema, DrPH, MS, MCHES®, Chief Executive Officer, Society for Public Health Education, Washington, United States. A longtime leader and presence in the field, Dr. William Datema has served in education and public health for over 40 years, including service from local to international levels. He has held several national leadership positions in the United States including branch chief roles at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in school health and community health, Director of Partnerships for Children’s Health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and Executive Director of Eta Sigma Gamma national health education honorary society and the Society of State Leaders of Health and Physical Education. He holds a Doctor of Public Health in health policy and management from the University of Georgia, and a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Education from Missouri State University. Dr. Datema has presented in 48 U.S. states and 12 other nations, and he has authored and contributed to numerous publications. He is a fellow of ASHA and AAHE, a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES), and a member of Delta Omega national public health honorary society and Eta Sigma Gamma. In his decorated career, Datema has volunteered in many prominent roles including as the President-Elect of the National Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), President of the Foundation for the Advancement of Health Education, and Chair-Elect of the Missouri State University Alumni Association. He is also a board member of the CATCH Global Foundation and Action for Healthy Kids. He previously served on the global boards of ASCD and the International Union for Health Promotion and Education; the national boards of the American Association for Health Education (AAHE), American School Health Association (ASHA), National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, and National PTA; and as chair of the national board and a founding board member of Action for Healthy Kids. He is the United States representative for the UNESCO Chair for Global Health and Education.