Thoai Ngo, PhD, is the Professor and Chair of the Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Thoai is an internationally recognized scientist working at the intersections of global public health, population dynamics, gender equality, and sustainable development. He has led international research collaborations to understand trends and develop solutions that improve health and social outcomes in areas such as sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), mental health, adolescent health and well-being, education, gender equity and norms, and population dynamics and mega-trends.
Before joining Columbia University, Thoai held senior research leadership and executive roles at prominent international research institutions and nonprofits, addressing a wide range of global health, environmental, and development issues. He served as Vice President for Social and Behavioral Science Research (SBSR) at the Population Council, Senior Director and Vice President of Research at Innovations for Poverty Action, and Head of Global Research at MSI Reproductive Choices.
Thoai is an advisor on research and policy agenda setting on health and development issues for multilateral and bilateral donors, private foundations, universities, United Nations (UN) agencies, and governments worldwide. He lectures at leading global health universities and publishes widely in scientific journals and other media. His work has been widely cited and utilized in amicus briefs, parliamentary briefings, national policies, and guidelines from the UN and the World Health Organization (WHO). In 2017, he was recognized as one of the 120 Under 40 leaders making a difference in reproductive health worldwide. Thoai also served as Chair of the Ibis Board of Directors from 2019 to 2022.