Dr. Shadi Saleh Selected Among Five Wellcome Trust Global Thought Leaders

In recognition of regional leadership and expertise, the Wellcome Trust has selected Dr. Shadi Saleh, founding director of the Global Health Institute (GHI) at the American University of Beirut (AUB), as one of five global thought leaders commissioned to contribute proposals that will help reimagine and reshape the future of global health.

At a time when political shifts and financial challenges are reshaping the landscape of global health, the Wellcome Trust has commissioned five visionary proposals to rethink the global health architecture. The Wellcome Trust is one of the world’s leading philanthropic organizations in health research and it fosters diverse and inclusive leadership as an important step toward more resilient and equitable global health systems.

Dr. Shadi Saleh was selected among top global experts to represent the Middle East and Central Asia. He joins an international cohort of distinguished thought leaders, including Paola Abril Campos Rivera (Latin America and the Caribbean), Catherine Kyobutungi (Africa), Kelley Lee (Europe and North America), and Swee Kheng Khor (Asia and the Pacific region).

Each expert will put forward a unique perspective rooted in regional context and global insight. The proposals will be published in August 2025 and will help set the stage for an inclusive and ambitious global dialogue that responds to emerging health priorities and inequalities.

Dr. Saleh’s selection highlights AUB’s growing impact as a regional and global convener for health innovation and systems transformation. Under his leadership, the Global Health Institute has been serving as a vital platform for interdisciplinary research, policy engagement, and education that addresses some of the most pressing health challenges in fragile and conflict-affected settings.