The George Institute China welcomes prominent researcher as new Executive Director

World-renowned epidemiologist and medical researcher, Professor Zhi-Jie Zheng, will begin his stewardship as Executive Director of The George Institute, China, this month.

“I’m excited to joining and honored to be part of the George Institute, a truly global organization which drives big change in health systems and strategies that improve people’s health,” said Professor Zheng.  

“We have great opportunity to draw upon top medical researchers not only from Beijing, Shanghai and China, but also the work of colleagues in Australia, India and the UK. A global collaboration means we can leverage resources and provide solutions to key health problems facing not only China, but countries all around the world.”

“I am delighted to see so many young, promising researchers at the George Institute, China who have contributed to the success of this organization. This is a very important element to the future of the academic environment in China and brings vitality and vibrancy to academic research work.”

Along with his new role at The George Institute, China, Professor Zheng will continue as University Distinguished Professor of Public Health and Medicine, as well as Dean of the School of Public Health at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

Professor Robyn Norton and Professor Stephen MacMahon, Principal Directors of The George Institute for Global Health, congratulated Professor Zheng on the new appointment and welcome a strong collaboration between the institute and Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

“The expertise and experience Professor Zheng can bring to The George Institute is invaluable. It heralds a new phase in the development of the institute in China, where Professor Zheng will contribute to the management and expansion of impactful research programs, both in China and globally,” Professor Norton said.

Over the past three decades, Professor Zheng has held various academic and governmental positions, including senior leadership positions for clinical and public health programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health in the United States. He has also served on committees, task forces and workgroups for governmental agencies and professional organizations in the United States and China. Professor Zheng’s focus areas of research include systems epidemiology of complex diseases, health outcomes research, healthcare reform as well as public health education reform.

Professor Zheng has received a number of awards from the US government and professional organizations for his contributions to public health, including a Surgeon General’s Award and a Secretary's Award for Distinguished Services in Public Health, American Heart Association’s Stamler Award and the United States CDC’s Shepard Science Award.