Meet the Evidence Synthesis Unit Assessment Panel
Following our callout for applications to be one of Cochrane’s first Evidence Synthesis Units, we are pleased to announce the members of the independent assessment panel. The panel has begun assessing the submissions and the first new Units are expected to be announced in April 2024.
The panel has been assembled across a range of countries and areas of expertise to ensure applications are assessed fairly and transparently. Potential conflicts have been checked and actions taken to eliminate biases from the selection process. We’re very grateful to the panel members for agreeing to play such a crucial role in preparing Cochrane’s new production model.
Take a look below to find out more.
Professor Žarko Alfirević
Primary affiliation: University of Liverpool
Žarko, a key member of Cochrane’s Editorial Board, served as the Co-ordinating Editor for the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group from 2008 to 2023. He was also a Professor of Fetal and Maternal Medicine at the University of Liverpool. His extensive research in high-risk obstetrics has resulted in over 300 publications. Currently residing in Zagreb, Croatia since 2021, he continues to present at international conferences on topics related to his field.
Primary affiliation: Cameroon Consumer Service Organisation
Euphrasia, the founding Team Lead of Cameroon Consumer Service Organisation (CamCoSO), steers the Programs and Decision Support Teams in developing initiatives that uphold consumer rights in Cameroon. Her research expertise and commitment to consumer advocacy have secured her key roles in EBDM organisations like the African Evidence Network (AEN) and Cochrane. Euphrasia is currently pursuing a PhD in Accounting from the University of Calabar, Nigeria.
Dr Chantelle Garritty
Primary affiliation: Public Health Agency of Canada
Chantelle is a Senior Epidemiologist at the Global Health and Guidelines Division of the Public Health Agency of Canada, aiding in the development of preventive health care guidelines. With vast experience in evidence synthesis and guideline development, she co-established the Cochrane Rapid Reviews Methods Group in 2015. Chantelle previously led a Rapid Reviews Program at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, co-authoring the Cochrane rapid review methods guidance, instrumental during the COVID-19 crisis.
Professor Jeanne-Marie Guise
Primary affiliation: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Jeanne-Marie Guise, MD, MPH, MBA, is a key figure in US healthcare, serving as Co-chair of the US Network Executive Committee and Chair of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Biology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. She co-founded the US Cochrane Network and directs the Associate US Cochrane Center West. Her research interests span evidence-based medicine to patient safety. She's also led research programs for top health agencies and founded initiatives dedicated to women and children's health.
Tanja Kuchenmüller
Primary affiliation: World Health Organisation
Tanja Kuchenmüller, M.A., M.Sc, heads the Evidence to Policy and Impact unit in the Research for Health Department/Science Division at WHO. Her unit strengthens the capacity of countries to use research evidence in policies and practice. Previously, she led knowledge translation work at the WHO Regional Office for Europe and coordinated a unit on Knowledge Management, Evidence and Research for Policy-Making. Before joining WHO, she worked in the HIV/AIDS field for the United Nations Development Programme and the German Development Service.
Dr Vanessa Piechotta
Primary affiliation: Robert Koch Institute
Vanessa Piechotta, PhD, MSc, is a researcher at the Immunisation Unit of the Robert Koch Institute. With five years of experience in evidence-based medicine, she has expertise in living systematic reviews and network meta-analysis in public health, immunology, and oncology. Her work with international expert committees, guideline panels and the standing vaccination committee in Germany (STIKO) enhances her proficiency in evidence-based guidelines and living recommendations. She became an elected member of the governing board in November 2021.
Primary affiliation: Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences
Amin is a member of the Cochrane Early Career Professionals Network Steering Group and works as a hospital pharmacist in Tehran. He has clinical experience caring for patients in the emergency department, vascular and urology surgery wards, and the intensive care unit. As a Cochrane volunteer, he has worked with The Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group on the LIVING Vaccine project, submitted two protocols for a Cochrane systematic review in collaboration with Cochrane Sweden and Cochrane Austria, contributed to the writing of Cochrane Clinical Answers, and created blogs for Cochrane First Aid. He is dedicated to promoting the principles of evidence-based medicine through his work.
Dr Joao Paulo Souza
Primary affiliation: Pan American Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation
Dr. João Paulo Souza, MD, Ph.D., is the director of the Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information (BIREME), a specialized centre of the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO). His previous role involved leading the Department of Social Medicine at the University of São Paulo. With an extensive publication history and a clinical background in obstetrics & gynecology and critical care medicine, Dr. Souza's focus is on reducing maternal mortality and morbidity and supporting the development of international guidance in maternal health and COVID-19 treatment.
Professor Liesl Zühlke
Primary affiliation: South African Medical Research Council
Professor Liesl Zühlke, MBChB DCH FCPaeds Cert Card MPH FESC FACC MSc PhD, is a leading figure in cardiovascular medicine in Africa and currently serves as the Vice President for the South African Medical Research Council’s Extramural Research & Internal Portfolio. She's a Paediatric Cardiologist at Red Cross Children’s Hospital and has held significant roles at the University of Cape Town. Prof. Zühlke's research spans congenital and rheumatic heart disease, adolescent HIV, and congenital heart disease in women of childbearing age. She has managed large-scale research projects, including the REMEDY study.