Thomas Francis Jr. Memorial Lecture
University of Michigan School of Public Health
1755 SPH I, 1415 Washington Heights Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029
The University of Michigan School of Public Health will host the annual Thomas Francis Jr. Memorial Lecture on October 1, 2026, featuring Dr. Peter Hotez, MD, PhD, DSc (hon), FAAP, FASTMH, Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Hotez will present the keynote, “Vaccines and Immunizations in a Time of Global Boiling, Megacities and Anti-science,” exploring the growing impact of climate change and urbanization on infectious diseases and the challenges facing global vaccine uptake. He will discuss vaccine development efforts targeting neglected and tropical diseases, including hookworm and COVID-19, as well as the rise and globalization of vaccine hesitancy and anti-science movements. This annual lecture honors Thomas Francis Jr., a distinguished epidemiologist and former University of Michigan faculty member whose pioneering work in infectious disease research, chronic disease epidemiology, and the Tecumseh Study had a lasting impact on public health and epidemiology. A reception will be held after the lecture from 2:30-3:30 PM in the 1680 SPH I (Paul B. Cornely Community Room). Department of Epidemiology

Thomas Francis Jr. Memorial Lecture

Thomas Francis Jr. Memorial Lecture with Dr. Peter Hotez

icon to add this event to your google calendarOctober 1, 2026
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
1755 SPH I
1415 Washington Heights
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029
Sponsored by: Department of Epidemiology
Contact Information: Mackenzie Velas, mvelas@umich.edu
This program or event is open to the alumni community

The University of Michigan School of Public Health will host the annual Thomas Francis Jr. Memorial Lecture on October 1, 2026, featuring Dr. Peter Hotez, MD, PhD, DSc (hon), FAAP, FASTMH, Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Hotez will present the keynote, “Vaccines and Immunizations in a Time of Global Boiling, Megacities and Anti-science,” exploring the growing impact of climate change and urbanization on infectious diseases and the challenges facing global vaccine uptake. He will discuss vaccine development efforts targeting neglected and tropical diseases, including hookworm and COVID-19, as well as the rise and globalization of vaccine hesitancy and anti-science movements. This annual lecture honors Thomas Francis Jr., a distinguished epidemiologist and former University of Michigan faculty member whose pioneering work in infectious disease research, chronic disease epidemiology, and the Tecumseh Study had a lasting impact on public health and epidemiology. A reception will be held after the lecture from 2:30-3:30 PM in the 1680 SPH I (Paul B. Cornely Community Room).