Kayla Laserson, ScD, SM, FASTMH, is the Director for the Global Health Center (GHC) where she leads CDC’s global efforts to protect and improve health through science, policy, partnership, and evidence-based public health action. 

Prior to becoming the director for GHC, Dr. Laserson served as the deputy director for Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Delivery, India Office of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) where she focused on programmatic support to the government of India and partners on TB, neglected tropical diseases, malaria, and vaccine delivery.  Dr. Laserson also led the BMGF’s COVID-19 response in India from 2020-2022.

Before her role at BMGF, Dr. Laserson was the CDC India Country Director and the CDC India Division of Global Health Protection program director for six years, based in Delhi. In these roles, she oversaw CDC’s platform in India, provided technical assistance to support India’s developing role in Global Health Security, oversaw partnerships and collaborations with the government of India, and directed CDC’s scientific strategy in India. She also served as the CDC resident advisor and helped build the India Epidemic Intelligence Service Program.