David Heymann holds a BA in general science from Penn State University, an M.D from Wake Forest School of Medicine, and a DTM&H from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). He is currently Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at LSHTM and Head of the Centre on Global Health Security at Chatham House, London. Previously working for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the WHO, he has published over 200 peer- reviewed articles, commentaries and book chapters, and he is the editor of the Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, a major global reference for public health and health protection.
Scientist: David Heymann

A scientist’s opinion : Interview with Prof. David Heymann about COVID-19 tests
Interview with Prof. David Heymann, Professor of infectious disease epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, head of the WHO response during the SARS1 epidemic. What are the key-ingredients for coming out safely from the COVID-19 lockdown? David Heymann: First, countries need mechanisms to rapidly detect and respond to infections, trace contacts ...

“Unlocking” COVID-19: the use and misuse of tests
“Test, test, test” was one of the mantras of the WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus against COVID-19. The issue is particularly relevant in the “unlocking” phase several European countries are going through, as the curve of the pandemics bends. At this stage, and while effective vaccines or therapies are still not available, tests are crucial to keep the disease at bay. But are they effective and reliable?