Jeremy Farrar

Jeremy Farrar
Name	Jeremy Farrar
Caption	Farrar in 2014
Birth date	12 September 1961
Birth place	Singapore
Nationality	British
Fields	Infectious diseases, Global health
Workplaces	University of Oxford, Wellcome Trust, World Health Organization
Alma mater	University College London, University of Oxford
Known for	Director of the Wellcome Trust, Research on tropical diseases, COVID-19 pandemic response
Awards	OBE, FRS

Jeremy Farrar is a prominent British medical doctor and scientist renowned for his leadership in global health and research on infectious diseases. He served as the Director of the Wellcome Trust, one of the world's largest biomedical charities, from 2013 to 2023, before becoming Chief Scientist at the World Health Organization. His career has spanned pivotal research on tropical diseases in Vietnam and influential roles during major health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the West African Ebola virus epidemic, and the Zika virus epidemic.

Early life and education

Jeremy Farrar was born in Singapore and spent his early years in various locations, including Malaysia and India, before his family settled in the United Kingdom. He completed his medical degree at the University College London Medical School, qualifying as a physician. Driven by an interest in tropical medicine, he then pursued a doctorate at the University of Oxford, focusing on the immunology of infectious diseases. His doctoral research laid the groundwork for his future specialization in neglected tropical diseases and emerging infections.

Career

Farrar began his clinical and research career with posts at several National Health Service hospitals in the United Kingdom. In 1996, he moved to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to establish a clinical research unit for the University of Oxford, which later evolved into the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit. He served as its Director for nearly two decades, building it into a world-leading center for research on diseases like dengue fever, typhoid, and influenza. In 2013, he was appointed Director of the Wellcome Trust in London, succeeding Mark Walport. He stepped down from this role in early 2023 to assume the position of Chief Scientist at the World Health Organization in Geneva.

Research and contributions

Farrar's primary research contributions are in the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of severe infectious diseases prevalent in Southeast Asia. His work at the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in Vietnam produced significant insights into dengue hemorrhagic fever, Japanese encephalitis, and melioidosis. He led large-scale clinical trials that improved the management of typhoid fever and established novel treatments for septic shock. His research has been instrumental in shaping treatment guidelines and public health strategies for these conditions across the Global South.

Leadership at Wellcome Trust

As Director of the Wellcome Trust, Farrar oversaw a major strategic shift, increasing the charity's focus on addressing global health challenges and supporting discovery research. He championed initiatives in mental health, climate change and health, and infectious disease preparedness. Under his leadership, the Trust launched major funding programs like the Wellcome Leap and significantly increased its support for researchers in low- and middle-income countries. He also advocated for open science and data sharing, particularly during health emergencies.

Role in global health emergencies

Farrar has been a key scientific advisor during multiple international health crises. During the West African Ebola virus epidemic, he was a member of the World Health Organization's emergency committee and advocated for accelerated research and development of vaccines and therapeutics. He played a similar role during the Zika virus epidemic in the Americas. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, he was a prominent voice on the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies in the United Kingdom and internationally, emphasizing the importance of rapid data sharing, equitable vaccine access, and robust public health measures.

Awards and honors

For his services to global health, Farrar was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2015. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2021, one of the highest recognitions in science. He has received numerous other awards, including the Manson Medal from the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and honorary doctorates from several universities, including the University of Edinburgh and University College London. He is also a fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.

Category:British medical researchers Category:Infectious disease specialists Category:1961 births Category:Living people