VEME2022 – Organizers

Organizing committee:
Luiz Carlos Junior Alcantara (Friocruz, Brazil)
Tulio de Oliveira (CERI, University Stellenbosch & KRISP, University of KwaZulu-Natal South Africa)
Alexander Martinez (Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de estúdios para la Salud, Panamá)

Scientific organizing committee:
Anne-Mieke Vandamme (KU Leuven – University of Leuven, Belgium)
Brittany Rife Magalis (University of Florida, USA)
Carla Mavian (University of Florida, USA)
Eduan Wilkinson (CERI/KRISP, South Africa)
Emmanuel James San (CERI/KRISP, South Africa)
Guy Baele (KU Leuven – University of Leuven, Belgium)
Luciane Santos (Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública)
Marta Giovanetti (University Rome, Italy/Fiocruz, Brazil)
Mattia Prosperi (University of Florida, USA)
Philippe Lemey (KU Leuven – University of Leuven, Belgium)
Rodrigo Kato (CGLAB/Ministry of Health, Brazil)
Ronaldo de Jesus (CGLAB/Ministry of Health, Brazil)
Vagner Fonseca (PAHO/WHO, Brazil)
Victor Pimentel (Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal)

Judging committee: From Trees to Public Health Policy:
Gilberto A. Santiago (CDC/DDID/NCEZID/DVBD, Porto Rico)
Jairo Andres Mendez Rico (PAHO/WHO, USA)
Jorge L. Munoz (CDC/DDID/NCEZID/DVBD, Porto Rico)
Leticia Franco (PAHO/WHO, USA)

Important VEME Update
2025 Workshop Cancelled
2026–2027 Secured

Dear VEME applicants,

We regret to inform you that, due to a global decline in international funding, we will need to cancel VEME2025. Despite our best efforts to secure financial support for this exceptional workshop, we were unable to obtain the necessary commitments to host the event at the Institut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD) this year.

While this is disappointing news, we are pleased to share that funding has been secured for VEME2026—and most likely for 2027 as well. The 2026 edition is expected to take place in Stellenbosch, South Africa, and the 2027 workshop in Dakar, Senegal. Both events will be supported through the CERI and IPD African Stars Fellowship Program, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. Unfortunately, these funds could not be applied to the 2025 event, as it was reliant on a different funding source.

We thank you for your patience and regret we cannot give you better news. We encourage you to apply again for next year’s VEME. Now more than ever, it is essential that our VEME training continues to prepare the next generation of scientists to respond to global health challenges.

Warm regards,
Xavier, Tulio, Luiz, and Anne-Mieke