The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) has announce its appointment of a new Chief Scientific Officer, Dr Kavindhran Velen.
Kavi is a microbiologist and epidemiologist with over 18 years of experience in public and global health, spanning research, policy and implementation across the private, government, and non-governmental organisation sectors.
His work has focused on tuberculosis, lung health and HIV, with a strong emphasis on translating evidence into policy and practice. He has secured and managed many high-impact grants, built strong partnerships with ministries of health, donors and civil society, and supervised global, multidisciplinary teams. Kavi is deeply committed to addressing health inequities in low- and middle-income countries through science, policy, and capacity building.
Dr Cassandra Kelly-Cirino, Executive Director of The Union, said: “This is a vital role for the future success and sustainability of The Union as the leading global scientific organisation in lung health. Having been through an extremely thorough recruitment process, the Board of Directors and I are confident we have the ideal candidate for us and the challenge ahead. We’re delighted that Kavi has joined our amazing team.”
Prior to joining The Union, Kavi was a Senior Scientist at Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), leading evaluations of new diagnostics and tools, advancing their optimal use through operational research.
Dr Kavindhran Velen, Chief Scientific Officer of The Union, said: "I am deeply honoured to join The Union as Chief Scientific Officer and have the opportunity to push the boundaries of innovation, foster bold collaborations, and transform scientific discovery into lasting impact.
“What excites me most is working alongside a community that shares the belief that science can be a catalyst for a healthier, more equitable world. I have always been inspired by the power of collective knowledge and diverse perspectives, and I look forward to harnessing that energy to unlock solutions that will shape a better future for lung health for generations to come."
The appointment comes ahead of The Union World Conference on Lung Health 2025 taking place 18–21 November in Copenhagen, Denmark, where leading voices from across the lung health community will come together to announce scientific advances, share community-based trials and inspire each other to overcome lung health challenges.
ENDS
Notes to editor
About The Union
Established in 1920 as the world’s first global health organisation, the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) is committed to a healthier world for all, free of tuberculosis and lung disease. Its members, staff, and consultants work in more than 140 countries globally.
The Union is a global membership, technical and scientific organisation, striving to end suffering due to tuberculosis and lung diseases by advancing better prevention and care. It seeks to achieve this by the generation, dissemination, and implementation of knowledge into policy and practice.
The Union’s approach to tackling global health problems is unique – KNOW. SHARE. ACT. We start with developing knowledge through global research (KNOW), which we then share as widely as possible (SHARE) and turn that into the real action to save lives on a local level (ACT).
The Union aims to ensure that no one is left behind, people are treated equally and we have a focus on vulnerable and marginalised populations and communities.
The Union’s work is exemplified by its core values of quality, transparency, accountability, respect, and independence.
Website: www.theunion.org
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