Nikki Romanik

Dr. Romanik (Bluesky – LinkedIn – X) is a Distinguished Senior Fellow in Global Health Security at Brown University School of Public Health. She most recently served as Special Assistant to the President, Deputy Director, and Chief of Staff for the Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy (OPPR) at the White House. In this role, she led the recruitment and establishment of the inaugural office, driving key initiatives to enhance national preparedness and response to outbreaks, pandemics, and other biological threats. With over 15 years of experience at the forefront of national and international public health initiatives, Dr. Romanik has consistently delivered impactful results. Her career has been dedicated to mitigating biological threats, strengthening pandemic preparedness, and ensuring global resilience in the face of public health crises. While serving at the White House, she was instrumental in spearheading the U.S. government’s response to multiple biological threats, including both clade Ia and clade IIb mpox outbreaks, the Marburg Virus Disease outbreak, and the ongoing challenges of COVID-19. Prior to the White House, as a trusted senior advisor, she served as the COVID-19 CDC Liaison to the White House and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. During her tenures at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), she was pivotal in establishing and strengthening public–private partnerships, emphasizing the importance of engaging civil society organizations and navigating complex crises in challenging political and social environments. Her unique blend of strategic vision, operational excellence, and dedicated leadership continues to drive significant advancements in public health, underscoring her commitment to safeguarding communities and improving health outcomes worldwide