UC Irvine selected as new home of UC Global Health Institute

Irvine, Calif., Sept. 14, 2026 - As communities around the world confront widening health disparities, climate-related health threats and workforce shortages, the need for collaboration among universities to address these pressing issues has never been greater.

The University of California Global Health Institute, a systemwide organization dedicated to advancing health equity through research, education, training and partnerships, is embarking on a new chapter at the University of California, Irvine's Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health.

The move reinforces UC Irvine's growing international leadership in public health while strengthening research, education and strategic partnerships that improve the health and well-being of communities in California and across the globe.

A global health leader since 2008

Since its founding in 2008, UCGHI has grown into the University of California's systemwide hub for global health collaboration under the leadership of founding director emeritus Dr. Haile Debas. Faculty, staff, learners and partners across all 10 UC campuses have built the institute around a shared commitment to advancing health equity and improving lives worldwide while cultivating the next generation of global health leaders.

"The University of California Global Health Institute embodies the very best of the UC system: collaboration across disciplines, campuses and communities in pursuit of solutions to society's most pressing challenges," said Bernadette Boden-Albala, founding dean of Wen Public Health and UCGHI Advisory Council member since 2021. "We are proud that UC Irvine has been selected as the institute's new administrative home and look forward to supporting its continued growth and impact. This transition reinforces our commitment to advancing health equity, fostering innovation and strengthening partnerships that improve lives both here in California and around the world."

UCGHI has established itself as a nationally recognized model for cross-campus collaboration and leads multidisciplinary systemwide centers and programs focused on planetary health, gender and health justice, workforce development, and global health education.

"The most pressing health challenges of our time demand collaboration that transcends disciplines, institutions and geographic boundaries. Our faculty are leading research that spans global health, climate resilience, chronic disease, infectious disease, mental health and health systems while building partnerships that translate evidence into action," Boden-Albala said. "The Global Health Institute will strengthen our ability to convene diverse teams, foster innovation and develop solutions that improve health for communities both locally and globally."

A visionary idea

Since 2022, UCGHI has been led by Dr. Madhavi Dandu, professor of medicine at UC San Francisco.

"UCGHI started as a visionary idea to acknowledge that no single institution can solve today's complex health challenges alone," Dandu said. "Our strength comes from bringing together the expertise, creativity and commitment of people across all UC campuses and our partners around the world. As we begin this new chapter at UC Irvine, we remain deeply committed to our systemwide mission and are excited about the opportunities to expand our impact, strengthen collaborations, and advance our shared vision of a healthier and more equitable future."

Wide-ranging community impact

UCGHI's multidisciplinary portfolio includes the Center for Planetary Health, the Center for Gender and Health Justice, the Center for Health Workforce and the GloCal Health Fellowship, which provides aspiring global health researchers with outstanding interdisciplinary education and training in innovative research designed to improve health for populations around the world.

UCGHI has developed an innovative and comprehensive education pathway for learners from high school through undergraduate and graduate education, as well as professional studies. This pathway offers opportunities to acquire knowledge and experience in global health and explore career development.

UC Irvine faculty have long played an integral role in shaping the institute's work. Among them are Oladele Ogunseitan, Distinguished Professor and director of the UCGHI Global Health Education Program, whose work has advanced environmental health, sustainability and planetary health initiatives across the UC system, and Sean Arayasirikul, associate professor-in-residence and co-director of the UCGHI Center for Gender and Health Justice, whose research seeks to improve health outcomes and access to care for LGBTQIA+ people through community-engaged and equity-focused approaches.

The move to UC Irvine provides an opportunity to build on UCGHI's strong foundation with UC Irvine faculty, staff and learners while enhancing its ability to continue convening expertise across disciplines and UC campuses. As UCGHI comes to UC Irvine, the institute remains committed to its systemwide mission and collaboration to advance its vision of a healthier, more equitable and more sustainable world through education, research, service and partnership.

About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation's top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It's located in one of the world's safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County's second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. For more on UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.