Dr. Usman Nakakana

Dr. Usman Nakakana is a Senior Program Officer at the Gates Foundation in Seattle, Washington, where he supports clinical vaccine development and impact initiatives focused on high-burden infectious diseases of global health importance. With extensive expertise in vaccinology, pediatric infectious diseases, and clinical pharmaceutical development, he plays a key role in designing and overseeing clinical development strategies for vaccines and anti-infective interventions across all phases of development. His work emphasizes translating scientific innovation into impactful public health solutions, particularly for resource-constrained settings.
Dr. Nakakana’s academic and professional training spans globally recognized institutions. He earned a Master’s degree in Vaccinology from the University of Siena, graduating cum laude, and completed post-graduate studies in Pediatric Nutrition at Boston University School of Medicine. He has also completed advanced training in clinical trials, epidemiology, and global health, building a strong foundation in both clinical medicine and research. His early academic work includes epidemiological studies on malaria endemicity and vaccine effectiveness, reflecting his long-standing commitment to infectious disease control and prevention.
Throughout his career, Dr. Nakakana has held senior leadership roles in global vaccine development, including serving as Senior Project Physician Lead at the GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health. In this role, he led multidisciplinary teams responsible for designing and executing early- and late-phase clinical trials, developing protocols, and ensuring medical and safety oversight across vaccine programs. He has also contributed to research in malaria, measles, and other infectious diseases, combining clinical insight with data-driven approaches such as geospatial modeling and epidemiological analysis.
In addition to his technical expertise, Dr. Nakakana is actively engaged in global health advocacy and collaborative research initiatives. He is a member of the Global Health Committee of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society and the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases. His contributions extend to policy and implementation efforts, including advocacy for maternal immunization and vaccine access in underserved populations. He is widely recognized for his leadership in advancing vaccine equity and global health innovation.
Driven by a deep passion for improving child health outcomes worldwide, Dr. Nakakana is committed to developing life-saving vaccines and strengthening global immunization systems. His work consistently bridges science, policy, and implementation, with a focus on ensuring that evidence-based interventions reach the populations who need them most. Through his leadership at the Gates Foundation, he continues to contribute to high-impact global health programs aimed at reducing infectious disease burden and improving health equity worldwide.

• Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria - M.D., 2007
• Usman Dan Fodio University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria - Residency in Pediatrics
• Erasmus Medical College, Rotterdam, the Netherlands - Observership
• University of Siena, Italy - M.S. in Vaccinology and Pharmaceutical Clinical Development

• Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (Global Health Committee Member)
• European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases

• Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (CORA Corps
• Education Committee
• Global Health Committee)
• European Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
• Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
• Nigerian Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• World Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Polio Elimination in Nigeria: A Review (Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 2016)
Feasibility of IPV Campaigns Towards Polio Elimination from Nigeria (Caliphate Medical Journal, 2016)