14 October 2026 Press releases

Institute of Tropical Medicine welcomes four new members to its Board of Governors

New appointments strengthen expertise in innovation, global health and strategic leadership as ITM shapes its future.

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The Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) has appointed Gargee Ghosh, Beatrice Murage, Sheila Obim and Dino Rech as new members of its Board of Governors. Together, they bring experience spanning health and technology, policy and financing, and cross-sector partnerships.

"Persistent health inequities, evolving disease threats and new technologies require institutions like ITM to keep adapting while staying true to their mission," says Prof Özge Tunçalp, Executive Director of ITM. "Our new Board members bring experience that will help us connect excellent science with innovation, strong partnerships and real-world impact. Their perspectives will help us focus on where ITM can contribute most — and how we translate our expertise into better health."

The new Board members

Gargee Ghosh

Gargee Ghosh is a global development leader with extensive experience in policy, financing and philanthropy. She is a Senior Fellow at the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business & Government at Harvard University and previously served as President of Global Policy & Advocacy at the Gates Foundation, where she helped bring health and other innovations to scale and mobilise public, philanthropic and private capital for global development. Earlier in her career, she worked with McKinsey, Google.org and the Center for Global Development.

Dr Beatrice Murage

Dr Beatrice Murage is a medical doctor and global strategist with experience across the private, public and multilateral sectors. She works at the intersection of healthcare access, innovation and sustainable growth. She has also advised governments and multilateral institutions and supported impact investment and digital health ventures. Her work focuses on connecting public purpose with business and innovation to build resilient health systems.

Dr Sheila Obim

Dr Sheila Obim brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in global health, sustainable development, science communication and institutional transformation. She served as Head of Strategic Communications at Africa CDC during the COVID-19 pandemic and as Executive Director of the Alliance for Science, and has held senior roles with UNDP, UNEP and UN-Habitat. A biochemist by training, she combines scientific expertise with strategic communication and organisational leadership.

Dr Dino Rech

Dr Dino Rech is a physician and public health leader specialising in technology and artificial intelligence for stronger health systems. Based in Johannesburg, he is CEO of Audere and founder and CEO of Audere Africa, which develop AI-enabled digital health solutions across Southern Africa. He previously held senior roles at the Gates Foundation and the Aurum Institute, with a longstanding focus on HIV, tuberculosis and primary healthcare, and brings extensive experience in translating innovation into frontline health delivery.

"A strong Board needs more than expertise in individual fields. It needs people who can bring different perspectives to complex decisions, ask the right questions and help an institution look beyond the immediate horizon," says Jo Bury, Chair of the Board of Governors. " With experience ranging from business and philanthropy to strategic communication, these four appointments broaden the expertise around our table and strengthen the Board's ability to guide ITM through its next phase."

Thanks to outgoing members

The appointments also mark the conclusion of the mandates of Ann Adriaensen, Roel Coutinho, Ajit Shetty and Stefaan Van der Borght.

"We are deeply grateful to Ann, Roel, Ajit and Stefaan for the time, expertise and judgement they have given ITM," says Ann Peters, General Manager of ITM. " They helped steer the institute through some exceptionally demanding years, including the COVID-19 pandemic and significant institutional change. ITM has benefited greatly from their commitment, and we thank each of them for the important contribution they have made.”

Board of Governors

In addition to the four new members, the Board of Governors comprises Jo Bury (Chair), Herwig Leirs (Vice-Chair), Ann Aerts, Inge Basteleurs, Luc Broos, Ann Peters (General Manager), Steven Serneels, Özge Tunçalp (Executive Director) and Chris Van Geet.

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