BIOGRAPHY
Dr. John S. Tam is a distinguished virologist and public health expert specializing in influenza and other viral threats. He holds a PhD in virology from the University of Hong Kong and earned both his BSc and MSc in virology, microbiology, and biochemistry from the University of Toronto.
He served as a professor in the Department of Microbiology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Medicine for over 15 years before transitioning to global health leadership roles. At the World Health Organization’s headquarters in Geneva, Dr. Tam worked as a Technical Officer for the Initiative for Vaccine Research and Scientist in the Global Influenza Programme. In these roles, he played a central part in shaping global influenza vaccine research and policy, including leadership in the development of the WHO Public Health Research Agenda and the WHO Global Action Plan for Influenza Vaccines.
Since 2015, Dr. Tam has served as Honorary Professor (Microbiology) in the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, contributing to teaching and research across vaccines, diagnostics, and food safety.
He previously served as Director and Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Alliance for the Control of Influenza (APACI), a Hong Kong-based nonprofit established to serve as the region’s trusted and independent source of influenza-related expertise and advocacy.
Dr. Tam has authored over 180 peer-reviewed publications spanning influenza and other viral diseases, including respiratory infections, viral hepatitis, gastroenteritis, and virus-associated cancers. Notably, he continues to contribute to the field through recent works—including a 2022 perspective on public health strategies for the co-circulation of influenza and SARS-CoV-2.
Over his career, Dr. Tam has advised the WHO and regional health authorities during critical public health events, such as the 1997 H5N1 avian influenza outbreak in Hong Kong and the 2003 SARS epidemic. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Bronze Bauhinia Star (B.B.S.) by the Hong Kong SAR government in 2004.