Tunisian Researcher Hamdi Mbarek Appointed to WHO Scientific Council

Tunisian researcher Hamdi Mbarek has been appointed as a member of the World Health Organization (WHO) Scientific Council. He joins a distinguished group of 21 international scientists and experts tasked with providing critical expertise to the WHO Director-General on major scientific and technological advancements poised to transform global health.

Council Composition and Focus Areas

The new composition of the Council was announced by the WHO on August 27, 2026. The selected experts represent diverse disciplines and regions worldwide, with a specific focus on fields likely to significantly influence health systems in the coming years, including:

Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Genomics
Biotechnologies
Robotics
Health Data
Precision Medicine

According to his official profile published by the WHO, Hamdi Mbarek brings specialized expertise in human and population genomics, precision medicine, and large-scale health data analysis. He currently serves as the Director of Research and Data Analysis at the Qatar Precision Health Institute, part of the Qatar Foundation.

Strategic Importance of Genomic and Medical Data

This appointment comes at a time when the utilization of genomic and medical data is gaining increasing importance in both research and clinical practice. The primary objectives include:

Better understanding of differences between populations.
Improving prevention and diagnostic capabilities.
Developing more personalized healthcare approaches in the long term.

Bridging the Gap: Equity in Scientific Advancement

For the WHO, a critical challenge is ensuring that scientific advancements do not widen existing disparities between populations. Consequently, the representation of groups historically underrepresented in genomic research is a key issue the experts must address.

The Scientific Council’s mission is to:

Help the WHO anticipate scientific trends.
Identify innovations with the potential for major health impacts.
Inform the Organization’s decision-making processes.

It is important to note that the Council holds a consultative role. Its members do not direct WHO policies but provide independent expertise to the Director-General.

Redefining Health Policies

With this appointment, Hamdi Mbarek joins an international body where topics such as AI, genomics, and data science are no longer viewed solely as research domains. Instead, they are recognized as key levers capable of redefining health policies in the years to come.