Dr. Nahoko Shindo received her Ph.D. in Medical Science - microbiology and cell immunology - at Jikei University School of Medicine followed by specialist training in infectious disease and public health at the Infectious Disease Surveillance Centre, National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) in Tokyo, which is one of five WHO Influenza Collaborating Centres. Since 2002, she has worked with WHO and has been involved in activities such as epidemic intelligence and verification, outbreak responses and influenza pandemic preparedness. She participated in major WHO responses including SARS, avian influenza, Indian Ocean Tsunami, the deadly viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks in Africa, and more recently, the 2009 influenza pandemic, and now the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Her area of responsibility also extends to cover WHO Public Health Research Agenda for Influenza, assessment of influenza disease impact and influenza pandemic preparedness.