Dr Alonso has led WHO’s efforts to control and eliminate malaria since 2014. In his role as Director of WHO’s Global Malaria Programme (GMP), he has contributed to bringing the WHO’s malaria efforts closer to the field, and has helped guide GMP’s efforts to update and consolidate its malaria guidance through new online information platforms. He also provided crucial leadership during the COVID-19 crisis. (Learn more about malaria & COVID-19 from MMV’s podcast interview with Dr Alonso). 

Dr Alonso is a physician and epidemiologist with a background in infectious diseases research.He hasbeen instrumental in the development of the RTS,S vaccine, the world’s first WHO recommended malaria vaccine. In 1991, he and other researchers showed for the first time the impact of insecticide-treated nets, paving the way to the 60 percent reduction in mortality rates since 2000. In the 1990s, he was also instrumental in helping create the Manhiça Health Research Centre (CISM), a novel initiative of the governments of Spain and Mozambique. 

“Dr Alonso has been indispensable in setting direction and implementing WHO’s Global Technical Strategy for Malaria for the past 7 years,” said CEO of MMV, Dr David Reddy. “He continues to be a friend and mentor to MMV in the fight against malaria and we wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”