Christopher B. Nelson, PhD, MPH

Director, Coalition Against Typhoid Secretariat

Dr. Christopher B. Nelson joined the Sabin Vaccine Institute in 2010 as Director of the Coalition Against Typhoid Secretariat. Dr. Nelson has worked in global health for over 20 years.

Before joining Sabin, he worked as a consultant in global health—with a focus on international organizations and new vaccine introduction—in middle and low income countries. Most recently, Dr. Nelson served as Senior Director at Merck Vaccines Division where he informed life cycle management choices for key brands to ensure global product relevance and competitiveness. In addition, he facilitated the accelerated launch of rotavirus and HPV vaccines through global, regional and national governmental affairs and medical affairs activities. He also served as the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA) representative to international work groups that included the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the GAVI Alliance, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

From 1997 to 2006, Dr. Nelson worked on international policy and vaccine introduction strategies in low and middle income countries as a Scientist at the WHO. His responsibilities included clinical research, technical strategies (disease burden estimates, surveillance systems, impact assessment) and policy in support of the accelerated adoption of HepB, Hib, meningococcal, rotavirus, and other vaccines in Africa and Asia.

Dr. Nelson received a bachelor's degree in biology from Purdue University, a master’s degree in public health from the University of Michigan, and a Ph.D. in epidemiologic science from the University of Michigan.