$5M gift commitment will support U of A's Ending Pandemics Academy

A $5 million gift commitment from the Carlyle One Health Group will enable the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health to build programs and capacity to stop future pandemics and educate a new generation of adaptive and technologically skilled global health professionals.

The gift will fund the Ending Pandemics Academy, a unique, immersive education and training program within the college's Global Health Institute. The academy aims to equip leaders from all sectors of society, students, and faculty with the skills and tools necessary to stop disease before it spreads.

"This generous philanthropic commitment reflects a shared understanding that preventing the next pandemic begins long before a crisis emerges," said Suresh Garimella, president of the University of Arizona. "Through the Ending Pandemics Academy, we are investing in the people, tools, and global partnerships needed to detect threats earlier, respond faster, and better protect communities, economies and lives worldwide. We are gratified to partner with the Carlyle One Health Group to advance this vital work and position the University of Arizona at the forefront of global pandemic prevention."

The Carlyle One Health organization, a community of motivated philanthropists, focuses on the prevention, early detection and diagnosis of infectious diseases – helping to protect lives, society and businesses.

"It is an honor for the Carlyle community to support the Zuckerman College of Public Health and the Ending Pandemics Academy," said Alex Charlton, vice president of strategic partnerships for Carlyle One Health. "We share their vision that health is not a privilege, but a collective responsibility. From Arizona to communities across the world, that vision has grown into a powerful force for equity, education and prevention."

Building on decades of rigorous, evidence-based implementation experience across the globe, the Ending Pandemics Academy is designed to advance knowledge and innovations in global disease prevention and prepare a new generation of community leaders to be ready for the next health emergency. Support for the academy will enable participating communities to play a more active role in early outbreak detection, rapid verification and effective response. The work aims to accelerate action to minimize disease spread, save lives and reduce harm to economies and livelihoods. The academy also strengthens an interconnected global network of leaders committed to pandemic prevention and preparedness, expanding the reach and long-term impact of this work worldwide.

"We are incredibly grateful for this gift from the Carlyle One Health Group and for their leadership in disease prevention," said Dr. Iman Hakim, dean of the Zuckerman College of Public Health. "This investment allows us to expand the work of Ending Pandemics and prepare the next generation of digital epidemiologists. By advancing our efforts in applied technology and AI, we can better protect communities, stop the spread of disease and meet the public health challenges ahead."

Dr. Mark Smolinski, founder of the non-profit Ending Pandemics and now executive director of the Ending Pandemics Academy, brings decades of experience in early detection, advanced warning and prevention of epidemic and pandemic threats. He also has joined the College of Public Health faculty as the Jeff Skoll Endowed Chair in Ending Pandemics and a professor of practice in the Department of Health Promotion Sciences.

Smolinski's career includes many leadership roles in federal health agencies and private sector health programs, and he now focuses his unique expertise and abilities to train the next generation at the University of Arizona.

"Pandemic prevention requires leadership across all sectors of society, along with the adoption of sound practices and effective collaboration to protect the entire community," Smolinski said. "Engaging private-sector partners is essential, and our partnership with the Carlyle One Health Group accelerates our ability to scale innovation by connecting directly with philanthropic and corporate leaders and expanding our global impact."

The Carlyle One Health Group's gift is part of the university's $3 billion Fuel Wonder campaign, which focuses on future-shaping research, student success and engagement with the community.

"For 25 years, the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health has focused on creating a healthier future for all," said John-Paul Roczniak, president and CEO of the University of Arizona Foundation. "The Ending Pandemics Academy is poised to solve as-yet unimagined public health challenges. I'm grateful for the Carlyle One Health Group's philanthropic partnership in this important endeavor."