This project has the long-term goal of assisting developing countries to build their capacity to detect and respond to emerging infectious disease threats. From 2006 to 2013 I served as the Executive Director of the Regional Emerging Diseases Intervention (REDI) Center in Singapore, which had the mission to help Southeast Asian countries develop their capacities to address emerging disease threats such as SARS, Avian influenza and dengue. To carry out mission at REDI Center, we engaged many international collaborators including WHO, US CDC, USAID and the University of Washington SPH, in order to provide the highest quality training for public health personnel from the Southeast Asian Region.
Since retiring from REDI Center in 2013, I have continued my interest and participation in this topic at the UW SPH Department of Global Health by working with faculty who are developing similar international programs to improve global capacity to address emerging infectious diseases threats.