The Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) congratulates Pakistan Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) Director Maj. Gen. Dr. Aamer Ikram for being elected as the incoming Chair of the Advisory Board of TEPHINET.

The Advisory Board of TEPHINET works to evaluate and support the duties and functions of the network with the support of the Secretariat. In coordination with the Secretariat, the Advisory Board also advises on technical aspects of the network’s duties. It is informed of the annual budget, and actively carries out the network's purposes and objectives. The Advisory Board is composed of at least one representative from each region as well as the director of TEPHINET and representative members from the following organizations namely: World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). The board’s chairperson is elected by members of the network and serves for a three-year term.

Maj. Gen. Dr. Aamer Ikram brings a wealth of experience to his new designation, he holds a PhD in Molecular Biology, and he is a Registered Biosafety Professional from the American Biological Safety Association, a Biosafety Professional from the Institute of Safety in Technology and Research (UK), and an IFBA Certified Professional. Furthermore, he was awarded FRCP by the Royal College of Edinburgh; FRCPath by the Royal College of Pathologists in London; and a Fellowship in Public Health from Royal Colleges UK in 2018.

Dr. Aamer Ikram was also recently elected as a Fellow in the Pakistan Academy of Sciences. He also brings to this position, a vast experience in leadership, gained from serving as the President of the Pakistan Biological Safety Association (PBSA); Ex-President of the Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases Society (MMIDSP); Higher Education Commission Focal Point of Expertise for Medical Research, and Convener of Microbiology Pakistan Health Research Council, and he is currently the Executive Director of the National Institute of Health Pakistan and the Director of the Pakistan FELTP.

The EMPHNET team and the region’s FETP family extend heartfelt congratulations to Maj. Gen. Dr. Aamer Ikram for this notable designation, and wish him further success and advancement in his future endeavors.