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The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Liam Smeeth as Director. He will take over the role from Professor Peter Piot in August 2021.

Prof Smeeth is currently Dean of the Faculty of Epidemiology & Population Health and Professor of Clinical Epidemiology at LSHTM, and also a general practitioner in north London.

He has led a distinguished career in public health and is a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences. Prof Smeeth is a leader in the use of electronic health records, completing ground-breaking work on drug effects, disease aetiology and the evaluation of interventions. His work on the MMR vaccine and autism was of central importance in demonstrating safety and led to a recovery in vaccine uptake. He also undertakes substantial international work focussed on non-communicable diseases in low-income settings.

Upon accepting the offer of appointment, Prof Smeeth said: “I am absolutely delighted and I look forward to working with the whole LSHTM community and our partners around the globe. Now more than ever LSHTM plays a crucial role as an international centre of excellence, undertaking the highest quality research that impacts on human health and training the next generation.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Peter Piot for his leadership and his amazing efforts raising LSHTM’s visibility and global profile. I look forward to building on these achievements, and to leading LSHTM into a bright and exciting future as we pursue our mission to improve health worldwide.”

LSHTM’s Chair of Council, Don Robert, said: “At the heart of our institution is our mission to improve health worldwide. Liam’s combination of esteemed academic and clinical expertise perfectly places him to take forward our world-leading research and education programmes, ultimately improving health for all.”

Prof Peter Piot became LSHTM’s Director in September 2010. Upon the announcement of Prof Smeeth’s appointment, he said: “I am delighted that Liam is my successor. He brings not only vast knowledge of public and global health, but also a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges for LSHTM in the near and long term future. I am looking forward to working closely with Liam to ensure a smooth transition in these exceptional times.”

The appointment follows an extensive search and selection process by LSHTM’s Council.