Santiago Nicholls

WHO Regional Programme Review Group Chair for Americas

Dr. Nicholls obtained his medical degree from the National University of Colombia School of medicine, and his Master’s degree in medical parasitology from University of London, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. During most of his career he worked at the Parasitology Department of Colombia’s National Health Institute on research and control of the parasitic diseases endemic in Colombia. He directed Colombia’s Onchocerciasis Elimination Program, contributing to the successful elimination of Onchocerciasis in Colombia in 2011, through an integrated program which included MDA every six months to the eligible population in the only known focus during 12 years, supported by a health education, and social mobilization program.

In November 2008 Dr. Nicholls joined the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO’s) Regional Neglected Infectious Diseases Program, providing support and technical cooperation to countries in the Americas Region to strengthen their programs in order to reduce the burden of neglected infectious diseases, control and, where possible, eliminate them. In March 2016 he was promoted to his current position.

Contact details:

Tel: (+1-202) 974-3078
Email: nicholls [at] paho [dot] org
Address: Neglected, Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases Unit,
Department of Communicable Diseases and Health Analysis,
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO),
525 Twenty-third Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20037,
USA