Infectious disease epidemiologist joins the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network Steering Committee
Associate Professor Tambri Housen has been appointed to the Steering Committee of the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), the World Health Organisation-led body that coordinates the world's response when disease outbreaks cross borders.
Associate Professor Housen, a senior member of our Field Epidemiology in Action (FEiA) team, will serve a four-year term contributing to GOARN's work across outbreak alerts, information exchange, rapid response, and health capacity strengthening. The appointment followed a competitive selection process. In their letter of congratulations, GOARN's Steering Committee Co-Chair specifically cited our University's "extensive experience and respected standing in emergency response and international public health", a reflection of the calibre of work happening right here in our School of Medicine and Public Health.
A career built in the field
Tambri has spent over two decades responding to disease outbreaks, training frontline health workers, and strengthening health systems in some of the world's most challenging environments. From complex humanitarian emergencies across Africa to health security programs across the Indo-Pacific, her career has been defined by boots-on-the-ground experience and a deep commitment to global health equity.Tambri has a firm belief that lasting change has to come from within. Rather than flying in, delivering training, and flying out, she works alongside ministries of health, local institutions, communities, and NGOs to co-design sustainable workforce development programs that are locally led and built to last.Closer to home, Tambri has supervised 23 Higher Degree by Research candidates and has been named investigator on over AUD$25 million in research and workforce strengthening funding. Her work in the Indo-Pacific continues today through projects supported by the Australian Government.
Why it matters
GOARN exists because outbreaks don't respect borders. When COVID-19 emerged, when Ebola spread through West Africa, when mpox crossed continents, GOARN played a critical role in mobilising technical expertise to support countries in their response. Tambri's seat on its Steering Committee means our University now has direct influence over how the world prepares for, and responds to, the next health emergency. Congratulations, Tambri.
"I have had the privilege of collaborating with GOARN over the past 9 years, and I am deeply honoured to join the Steering Committee. I look forward to contributing to GOARN's strategic priorities, promoting collaboration across our global network, and strengthening our collective capacity to support preparedness and response to health emergencies.
The appointment to the steering committee is testament to the global recognition of the work that the Field Epidemiology in Action team at the University is doing in supporting countries to prepare and respond to health emergencies.”
- Associate Professor Tambri Housen
About Field Epi in Action
