Wafaa El-Sadr, MD, MPH, MPA, founder and global director of ICAP at Columbia University, was recently selected as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, an independent, nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to help achieve a better understanding of the world and the foreign policy choices facing the United States and other countries.

“I am thrilled to join this distinguished body of thought leaders who are making vital contributions to critical global issues,” said El-Sadr. “As we continue to confront the COVID-19 pandemic and persist in our longstanding efforts to address other critical health issues affecting communities and families around the world, I believe the Council on Foreign Relations has an important role to play in bringing innovative new ideas and partnerships to address these and other global concerns.”

Founded in 1921, the Council on Foreign Relations carries out its mission by maintaining a diverse membership, develop expertise in the next generation of foreign policy leaders; convening meetings with senior government officials, members of Congress, global leaders, and prominent thinkers to discuss and debate major international issues. It also publishes Foreign Affairs, the preeminent journal of international affairs and U.S. foreign policy.

An international infectious diseases and public health expert, El-Sadr joined Columbia University faculty in 1988 and in 2013, she was appointed University Professor, Columbia’s highest academic honor. She also holds the Dr. Mathilde Krim-amfAR Chair in Global Health.

A MacArthur Foundation Fellow, she was appointed to the National Academy of Medicine in 2009.

In addition to ICAP, she is director of both the Mailman School’s Global Health Initiative and Columbia World Projects. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. El-Sadr shares her expertise as a member of the New York City Mayor’s Scientific Advisory Council, the NYC Test and Trace Advisory Group, and the Columbia University COVID-19 Task Force.