The University of California, Irvine's Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health has been selected as the new administrative home for the University of California Global Health Institute (UCGHI), a systemwide organization dedicated to advancing health equity through research, education, training, and partnerships. This move, announced September 14, 2026, reinforces UC Irvine’s growing international leadership in public health.
UCGHI, founded in 2008, functions as the University of California’s systemwide hub for global health collaboration. Its mission addresses pressing issues such as widening health disparities, climate-related health threats, and workforce shortages through fostering collaboration among universities. Faculty, staff, and partners across all ten UC campuses have contributed to the institute's work, cultivating the next generation of global health leaders.
The relocation is expected to strengthen research, education, and strategic partnerships, aiming to improve the health and well-being of communities within California and across the globe. Bernadette Boden-Albala, founding dean of Wen Public Health and a UCGHI Advisory Council member since 2021, noted that the transition "reinforces our commitment to advancing health equity."
Under the leadership of Dr. Madhavi Dandu since 2022, UCGHI has developed a nationally recognized model for cross-campus collaboration. The institute leads multidisciplinary systemwide centers and programs, including the Center for Planetary Health, the Center for Gender and Health Justice, and the Center for Health Workforce. It also offers the GloCal Health Fellowship, which provides interdisciplinary education and training to aspiring global health researchers.
UCGHI has established a comprehensive education pathway for learners, spanning from high school through undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies. This pathway provides opportunities to acquire knowledge and experience in global health and explore career development. The institute's work addresses a range of topics including global health, climate resilience, chronic disease, infectious disease, mental health, and health systems.
UC Irvine faculty have played a significant role in shaping UCGHI’s work. Oladele Ogunseitan, a Distinguished Professor, directs the UCGHI Global Health Education Program. Sean Arayasirikul, an associate professor-in-residence, co-directs the UCGHI Center for Gender and Health Justice. Their work focuses on areas such as environmental health, sustainability, planetary health initiatives, and improving health outcomes for LGBTQIA+ individuals through community-engaged approaches.
The move to UC Irvine provides an opportunity to build upon UCGHI’s existing foundation with UC Irvine faculty, staff, and students. The institute remains committed to its systemwide mission and its collaborative approach to advancing a healthier, more equitable, and more sustainable world through education, research, service, and partnership.
