Sydney-born virologist, Sotiris Tsiodras, to head new health advisory team in Greece

Athens Medical School professor and epidemiologist, Sotiris Tsiodras, has been appointed to head a new interdisciplinary academic committee that will advise the Health Ministry on public policy, Ekathimerini reports.

Dr Tsiodras became a household name in the first year of the pandemic as the government’s chief advisor and spokesperson.

He grew up in Sydney and completed his medical training in Greece and at Harvard University. He is internationally recognised in his field and has published hundreds of peer-reviewed research papers.

READ MORE: Sydney-born virologist becomes Greece’s coronavirus ‘hero’.

According to a Health Ministry announcement on Saturday, the new Committee of Public Health Experts (EEDY) will be a completely separate entity to the current body advising the government on the pandemic, but may have a complimentary role in that it will track new academic studies on SARS-CoV-2 and research into treatments for COVID-19.

Its role is described as not being restricted to the pandemic however, as it will help shape public health policy at a more comprehensive level.

READ MORE: Greek Health Minister, Vassilis Kikilias: There’s light at the end of the tunnel for Greek diaspora

Source: Ekathimerini.