We are pleased to announce that Arthur Shem Kasambula (Ministry of Health, Uganda) and Emma Hodcroft (Swiss TPH) have been appointed as new chairs of the PHA4GE Data Repositories Working Group. This group will focus on enhancing existing data repository tools, APIs, and databases, building on innovative platforms like Pathoplexus, which was recently launched to support global pathogen data sharing.

Under the leadership of Kasambula and Hodcroft, the working group will collaborate closely with repository staff, key stakeholders, and the genomics community. Together, they aim to create consensus-driven solutions that will standardize relevant processes and data structures. By aligning their efforts with the development roadmaps of major repositories such as NCBI, DDBJ, ENA, and Pathoplexus, the group will provide technical recommendations to improve the utility, usability, and integration of data within the broader landscape of pathogen data repository systems.

This collaborative approach will drive forward PHA4GE’s commitment to improving public health through robust, accessible data infrastructure. We look forward to seeing the impact of their leadership and the advancements their work will bring to global genomic epidemiology.

Learn more about the Working Group: https://pha4ge.org/data-repositories/