Anil Deolalikar, PhD, of UC Riverside has been named chair of the UCGHI Board of Directors, effective August 1, 2017. Although this is a new role for Deolalikar, he is no stranger to UCGHI. He served on the original planning committee for the institute in 2008-09. He co-founded and co-directed the UCGHI One Health Center of Expertise – an effort focused on examining the relationship between human health on the one hand and water, animals, food and society on the other. Deolalikar also chaired a successful UC Global Health Day hosted by UC Riverside in 2013. 

“From the beginning, Dr. Deolalikar's wisdom, his ability to resolve differences, and his kindness and friendliness played a key role in the collaborative atmosphere that now characterizes UCGHI," said UCGHI founder Haile Debas, MD.

Deolalikar's history with UCGHI and commitment to global health will undoubtedly benefit the Board of Directors and the institute as a whole. "We are thrilled to have Anil join us again in an official capacity," says UCGHI Director Dr. Thomas J. Coates, MD. "His leadership and expertise will be vital to our collective success." 

"I am pleased, honored and humbled to accept this responsibility," Deolalikar said about his appointment, noting that he looks forward to returning his attention to UCGHI and pushing the institute to new heights. 

Deolalikar currently serves as the founding dean of the School of Public Policy at UC Riverside (UCR), where he has been a professor of economics since 2003. He has also held a number of leadership positions at UCR — including interim dean of the Anderson Graduate School of Management, associate dean of the Social Sciences, and director of the Center for Sustainable Suburban Development.  From 2009–2010 Deolalikar served on the UC Commission on the Future.  Prior to joining UCR, he taught at the University of Washington, University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University.

Deolalikar succeeds Mary Croughan, PhD who now serves as vice president of research and economic development at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.