Joann Sy

With almost 30 years of experience in development, public health and biodiversity across the Middle East and the Horn of Africa, my career began in epidemiology, focusing on public health issues such as HIV/AIDS, sexual and reproductive health and child marriage. Over time, I recognised that these challenges were closely linked to environmental factors, with changes in ecosystems directly impacting human health. This realisation led me to focus on the intersection of human, animal and environmental health, driving my commitment to integrated, cross-sectoral solutions.

Building on this understanding, I shifted my focus to biosafety and biodiversity projects, addressing the environmental drivers of public health risks, including emerging zoonotic diseases and the implications of synthetic biology applications. I developed and led initiatives aimed at managing biodiversity conservation, ensuring ecological resilience, and mitigating biosafety risks. With experience across European and African contexts with the UN, government and civil society, I specialise in creating synergies between research, policy and practice, while applying strategic foresight to anticipate future challenges and support sustainable, long-term outcomes in health, biodiversity and development.