Professor William Pomat is a biomedical researcher with training in immunology, to bacterial causes of pneumonia in children. Professor Pomat is the current Director of the PNG Institute of Medical Research, the country’s leading academic research institute and an internationally recognized centre of excellence. His major research interests are in understanding protective immunity to infectious diseases among children. He completed Masters training at UNSW Sydney, and completed a PhD in vaccine and mucosal immunology at the University of Western Australia. He is an Honorary Research Fellow at Telethon Kids Institute and was awarded honorary adjunct Professor at Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney and at AITHM, James Cook University in Townsville. His track record reflects an ability to successfully obtain research funding, collaborate and build partnerships with local and international partners, conduct high quality research under very challenging conditions, present at international and national meetings and publish in high impact journals to inform and direct policy, particularly in the area of immunization, microbiology and public health. He has high-level leadership skill, has extensive field research experience in PNG, and proven track record in the establishment and leadership of robust collaborative partnerships.  His leadership skills are further demonstrated in leading the current diagnosis responses of COVID19 for PNG.