Dr. Jha is a nationally recognized leader in public health, pandemic preparedness, and crisis response, with experience spanning academia, clinical practice, and senior government service.
Published:
Cambridge, MA — February 5, 2026 — The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School has appointed Dr. Ashish K. Jha, MD, MPH as a Senior Fellow with the Center’s Emerging Technology, Scientific Advancement, and Global Policy (ETSAGP) program.
Dr. Jha is a nationally recognized leader in public health, pandemic preparedness, and crisis response, with experience spanning academia, clinical practice, and senior government service. He previously served as Dean of the Brown University School of Public Health and as White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator, where he helped strengthen the nation’s preparedness and response capabilities for current and future biological threats.
“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Ashish Jha to the Belfer Center,” said Meghan L. O’Sullivan, Director of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. “He brings scholarly insights and practical experience at the intersection of science, policy, and public trust, and a demonstrated ability to lead through moments of national consequence. His perspective will meaningfully strengthen the Belfer Center’s work on risk, resilience, and governance."
Dr. Jha’s fellowship will focus on biological risk, pandemic preparedness, and the policy frameworks needed to govern emerging scientific capabilities.
“Dr. Jha’s ability to translate scientific insight into policy action aligns directly with ETSAGP’s mission,” said Michael McQuade, Director of the Belfer Center’s Emerging Technology, Scientific Advancement, and Global Policy program. “In an era of rapid technological change, his experience will strengthen how institutions anticipate and prepare for risk, and how they mount effective responses as those risks evolve.”
As a Senior Fellow, Dr. Jha will engage in research, teaching, and public programming at the Belfer Center, working closely with faculty and students on issues at the intersection of public health, emerging technology, and global policy.
About the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairsat Harvard Kennedy School addresses the world’s most consequential challenges at the intersection of science, technology, and international affairs. Bringing together scholars, practitioners, and students, the Belfer Center delivers cutting-edge research and forward-looking policy solutions. Benefiting from Harvard University’s dynamic academic community and broad range of perspectives, the Belfer Center bridges the gap between scholarship and real-world solutions while empowering the next generation of leaders to tackle complex global challenges.
