Dr Peter Steinmann is a trained epidemiologist and public health specialist and holds a habilitation (associate professorship) at the University of Basel. His research interests include the epidemiology and sustainable control of intestinal helminth and schistosome infections; the impact of intestinal parasite infections on child health, nutrition and well-being; the transmission of Mycobacterium leprae and post-exposure prophylaxis for contact and the elimination and eradication of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). He has a track record of work related to NTDs and public health in over two dozen countries over the last 15 years, including four years in China. He is currently deputy head of unit. His technical expertise includes NTD research and control programme implementation in China, Central and South-East Asia, Africa and Brazil, public health, WASH, health systems, data quality and surveillance and epidemiological surveys.

Dr Steinmann has published more than 145 articles in peer-reviewed literature. He has supervised four MSc students as first or co-supervisor and is currently supervising 4 PhD students as first or co-supervisor. He has regularly lectured at the University of Basel since 2015. His work has contributed to the approval of a new drug formulation for soil-transmitted helminth control and a change in the WHO guidelines for leprosy control.