Dr. Anne Rimoin, Gordon-Levin Endowed Chair in Infectious Diseases and Public Health, recognized as distinguished alum by UCLA Fielding School of Public Health

Dr. Anne Rimoin, professor in UCLA Fielding’s Department of Epidemiology, has been named one of the school’s “Alumni Hall of Fame” honorees for 2025.

“As a native Angeleno, there is nothing more meaningful than building a global career rooted in my hometown; UCLA has given me the greatest gifts: great mentorship, great methods, great colleagues, great students - and a great purpose.” said Rimoin, (master of public health, ’97), who spoke at the Dec. 8 installation event on campus at UCLA. “Public health isn’t just a field - it’s a calling, and UCLA is where that calling becomes a career, a community, and a lifelong family.”

In December, seven distinguished graduates of the school were recognized for their work since graduation as having a major impact on public health, in Los Angeles and globally. Rimoin, whose work at UCLA includes leadership of the UCLA-DRC Health Research and Training Program - where she has trained dozens of Congolese scientists, strengthened health infrastructure, and transformed the field’s understanding of emerging pathogens – exemplifies the values of public health scientists, her peers said.

“Her courage is evident in her willingness to lead fieldwork in complex and high-risk settings, and to speak publicly and frequently—often at personal risk—during major outbreaks, including COVID-19 and Mpox,” said Dr. Sudipto Banerjee, professor in UCLA Fielding’s Department of Biostatistics, one of two faculty members who nominated her for the honor. “As both an alumna and faculty member, Dr. Rimoin is a source of pride for the school - an extraordinary leader whose contributions continue to elevate public health locally and globally.”

Rimoin earned her bachelor’s degree at Middlebury College, MPH at UCLA Fielding, and doctorate (Ph.D) at Johns Hopkins University. She started her career in global public health as a Peace Corps volunteer in Benin, West Africa in the Guinea Worm Eradication Program. She has been recognized for her achievements in the fields of epidemiology and global health with the Middlebury College Alumni Achievement Award (2017), induction as a Fellow of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (2019), the Johns Hopkins Alumni Association Global Achievement Award (2022), and the Society for Epidemiologic Research Roger Detels Award for Infectious Diseases (2025).

Along with her work overseas, Rimoin was lauded for her service in the U.S., including as a researcher, educator, and a trusted voice when it comes to advising government officials and informing the public, by Dr. Zuo-Feng Zhang, distinguished professor and chair in the UCLA Fielding School’s Department of Epidemiology and the second nominator.

“Her expertise has been sought at the highest levels: she has advised the Director-General of the World Health Organization as a member of the IHR Emergency Committee on Mpox, served on California’s statewide Mpox advisory group, and counseled the White House during the U.S. outbreak,” Zhang said. “Across Mpox, Ebola, COVID-19, avian influenza, and other emerging threats, Anne’s research has produced major scientific contributions, strengthened health systems in Central Africa, and brought substantial federal and foundation support to UCLA.”

The latest honorees join a list of more than 90 UCLA Fielding School of Public Health alum, ranging from the classes of 1963 to 2019. Nominees are considered by a committee made up of the UCLA Fielding Public Health Alumni Association Board and serving faculty members.

“Public health improves the lives of millions of people, and it connects human to human and nation to nation,” said UCLA’s Chancellor Dr. Julio Frenk, distinguished professor in UCLA Fielding’s Department of Health Policy and Management, who gave the keynote speech for the event. “This year’s Hall of Fame inductees embody this global nature of public health. They demonstrate how it brings people together. across languages and cultures, for a common good.”