Professor Christine Kreuder Johnson in the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine joins six other distinguished scientists and engineers who will serve as U.S. Science Envoys in 2023, the U.S. Department of State announced today (Dec. 6).

Like their 23 predecessors, these science envoys are approved by the secretary of state and will engage internationally at the citizen and government levels to enhance relationships between other nations and the United States, develop partnerships and improve collaboration.

Johnson is a professor of epidemiology and ecosystem health and director of the EpiCenter for Disease Dynamics within the UC Davis One Health Institute. Her work is committed to transdisciplinary research to characterize the impacts of environmental change on animal and human health and guide public policy to mitigate pandemic threats.

She was elected to the National Academy of Medicine for pioneering approaches to surveillance of emerging diseases at the animal-human interface and investigating environmental and climate-related drivers for spillover of viruses. She is also a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. 

Through the U.S. Science Envoy Program, select scientists forge connections and identify opportunities for sustained international cooperation, championing innovation and demonstrating America’s scientific leadership and technical ingenuity.

Science envoys leverage their international leadership, influence, and expertise in priority countries and regions to advance solutions to shared challenges. Science envoys travel as private citizens and help inform the Department of State, other U.S. government agencies, and the scientific community about opportunities for science and technology cooperation.

Learn more about the program and 2023’s six other science envoys.