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A Year of Resilience, Leadership, and Global Reach
2025: Leading Through Uncertainty. Advancing Global Health.
In a year marked by disruption and transformation, ASTMH stood firm—advocating for science, convening the global health community, and strengthening the future of tropical medicine.
CEO Message
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As we step into a new year, it’s worth pausing to reflect on everything we accomplished together in 2025. It was a year of myriad challenges and disruptions, but also breakthroughs and milestones that reinforced the strength and resilience of our global health community.
Across advocacy, science, education, and convening, ASTMH remained a trusted and steady voice for tropical medicine and global health.
— Jamie Bay Nishi, CEO
Impact at a Glance
2025 By the Numbers
- 3,879 Annual Meeting attendees
- 105 countries represented
- 1,102 first-time attendees
- 218 Congressional appropriations submissions
- 14 ASTMH policy letters
- 6 policy statements
- 34 community sign-on letters
- 6 written testimonies to Congress
A Historic First: TropMed Goes Global
2025 Annual Meeting | Toronto, Canada
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For the first time in ASTMH’s history, the Annual Meeting was held outside the United States—marking a major milestone for the Society and its global membership.
Despite uncertainty around jobs, funding, visas, a U.S. government shutdown, and travel disruptions, the ASTMH community came together with resilience and purpose.
- 3,879 attendees
- 105 countries represented
- 1,102 first-time attendees
- 2,457 abstracts
- 109 symposia
- 29 tracks (14 concurrent session rooms and 15 content areas)
Advocacy When It Mattered Most
Standing Up for Science and Global Health
Early in 2025, ASTMH faced significant policy shifts affecting the global health landscape, including the dismantling of USAID and proposed funding cuts across U.S. science agencies. Throughout the year, ASTMH led and supported advocacy efforts to protect global health programs and stand up for federal scientists and public servants.
Key Actions
- Issued six policy statements on urgent global health issues
- Published two AJTMH editorials amplifying evidence-based policy perspectives
- Maintained regular dialogue with NIH, CDC, and the U.S. Department of State
- Opposed proposed funding cuts through:
- 218 Congressional appropriations submissions
- 34 community sign-on letters
- 14 ASTMH-led policy letters
- 6 written testimonies to Congress
ASTMH ensured science and collaboration remained front and center during a year of policy uncertainty.
Driving Global Health Conversations
Elevating Tropical Medicine on the World Stage
ASTMH worked tirelessly in 2025 to keep tropical medicine and global health on national and global agendas.
Highlights
- Hosted the Alan J. Magill World Malaria Day Policy Forum
- Led a Congressional briefing on malaria
- Represented the community at the United Nations General Assembly and World Health Summit
- Amplified major commitments from the Gates Foundation shaping the future of global health research
- Expanded learning through webinars on:
- AI’s future in tropical medicine
- Career paths in medical entomology
Community Spotlight:
ASTMH’s five subgroups led numerous webinars and regional dialogues, expanding engagement across disciplines and regions.
Strengthening Our Core
Investing in People, Programs, and Science
ASTMH continued to build a strong foundation for the future by investing in its members and mission.
2025 Focus Areas
- Increased membership engagement through virtual events
- Launched a pilot mid-career peer leadership cohort
- Advanced education and fellowship programs supporting the next generation
- Published world-class research through AJTMH, influencing policy and practice worldwide
By strengthening its core, ASTMH strengthened the global health workforce.
Looking Ahead to 2026
What’s Next
While challenges remain for the global scientific and public health community, 2026 brings new opportunities.
Coming in 2026
- Launch of a new ASTMH website
- Expanded virtual programming, including a new professional development learning series
- ASTMH Annual Meeting: Gaylord National Harbor, MD, November 18–22
Under the leadership of ASTMH President Terrie Taylor, ASTMH will continue to:
- Advocate for policies that protect global health
- Foster collaboration and global connectivity
- Plan for the sustainability and future of the Society
- Grow professional educational opportunities