Prof. Saphonn Vonthanak, Chair of CAMBOHUN, University of Health Sciences

Professor Vonthanak Saphonn is the Rector of the University of Health Sciences (UHS), Cambodia, and a distinguished epidemiologist, and public health leader. He earned his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from the University of Health Sciences in Phnom Penh in 1995 and completed his Ph.D. in Epidemiology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2003.

Throughout his career, Prof. Saphonn has held numerous leadership positions in Cambodia’s health sector, including HIV/AIDS Surveillance Officer at the Ministry of Health, Chief of the Research Unit at the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and STDs, and Deputy Director of the National Institute of Public Health. He also served as Head of the School of Public Health and Vice-Rector of UHS before becoming Rector in 2012. Since 2021, he has additionally served as an Advisor to the Ministry of Health. His contributions have significantly advanced public health research, education, and policy development in Cambodia.