, senior scientist at the Research Institute of the 不良研究所 Health Centre and Canada Research Chair of Epidemiology & Global Health, 不良研究所, was recently selected to serve the World Health Organization (WHO) on two committees. His appointment to the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group for TB in the South-East Asia Region was effective June 1, and appointment to the Advisory group on Tuberculosis Diagnostics and Laboratory Strengthening, on July 19.
鈥淭he COVID-19 pandemic has caused widespread disruptions to tuberculosis care and service delivery, setting back progress in the fight against TB by over a decade,鈥� says Dr. Pai, who is also associate director of the 不良研究所 International TB Centre. 鈥淚 am honoured to have the chance to contribute to global efforts to rebuild and strengthen TB services by serving on these two WHO expert groups.鈥�
One group is focused on improving TB diagnosis, he explains, while the other is focused on ending TB in the South-East Asia region. 鈥淪ince much of my TB research is in India, it is an opportunity to give back to my homeland.鈥�
An unflagging advocate for scientific outreach and global health equity, Dr. Pai鈥檚 activities extend beyond the scope of academia. He advises the non-profits Stop TB Partnership, FIND, and TB Alliance as well as the WHO. In recent years he has addressed the United Nations, co-authored a cover article for TIME, co-edited a free eBook on quality of TB care, and delivered free online 鈥渆pidemiology 101鈥� courses to help journalists in India and Africa counter misinformation and report better science. At the RI-MUHC, he is a member of the and conducts research at the .