Ruben Proaño invited to join World Health Organization’s technical advisory group

Rochester Institute of Technology researcher Rubén Proaño has joined the World Health Organization’s (WHO)  Technical Advisory Group on Market Access for Vaccines (TAG MVAC). He began his service during the advisory group’s November meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.

The TAG MVAC group specializes in areas such as vaccine market dynamics, vaccine manufacturing, immunization programs, and data analytics. The committee, comprised of 15 experts from around the world, convenes twice a year and serves as a WHO advisory board.

“It is both an honor and a responsibility to be invited to join this WHO advisory group. Ensuring equitable access to vaccines is a significant challenge for humanity,” said Proaño, an associate professor of industrial and systems engineering in RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering. “The opportunity to discuss the issues, solutions, and strategies for making vaccines more accessible in such a prestigious forum is a unique privilege and a chance to contribute to a better world.”

Utilizing mathematical modeling and analytics, Proaño’s research explores ways to make vaccines more affordable, accessible, and profitable. His work on vaccines has received support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Additionally, he spent a sabbatical year at the UNICEF Vaccine Center in Copenhagen during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In my research, my students and I have been investigating hypothetical models to gain new insights into coordinating the global vaccine market,” he said. “I believe that industrial engineering and operations research tools are highly effective for developing systematic strategies to tackle complex, multi-dimensional challenges.”

Advisory group members support the WHO's Market Information for Access Initiative in its efforts to improve access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable vaccines for all. The group provides recommendations on various global vaccine market issues, enhancing access to vaccines, analyzing data, understanding pricing dynamics, and developing initiatives to balance vaccine supply and demand.

Vaccine distribution fluctuates and often millions of children are living in countries lacking regular immunizations. Programs such as those supported by WHO work to ensure that the neediest populations receive necessary and affordable vaccines.

“We were thrilled to learn that Dr. Praono was invited to serve on this Technical Advisory Group for the World Health Organization,” said Doreen Edwards, dean of RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering. “It’s a shining example of how engineers bring their expertise to address complex issues that impact the quality of people’s lives.”

Related Information:

• https://www.rit.edu/news/ruben-proano-participate-united-nations-forum
• https://www.rit.edu/news/researcher-gets-grant-study-vaccine-market
• https://www.rit.edu/news/faculty-researcher-sees-covid-19-unfold-global-perspective-while-sabbatical-unicef