JHAH Infectious Diseases Expert Honored for Global Impact of Clinical Research

Professor Jaffar Al-Tawfiq won the Saudi Pediatric Infectious Disease Society Annual Award for his extensive contributions to infectious diseases research.

A world-renowned infectious diseases expert at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH) has won a prestigious national award recognizing the significant impact of his clinical research.

Professor Jaffar Al-Tawfiq, an internal medicine and infectious diseases consultant and the director of accreditation and infection control at JHAH, received the Saudi Pediatric Infectious Disease Society (SPIDS) Annual Award in recognition of his research into coronavirus variants and other infectious diseases, which has improved surveillance, control, and healthcare policy across the world.

Prof. Al-Tawfiq has authored or co-authored more than 200 research papers in the last five years, spanning diverse fields of infectious disease management such as outbreak response, diagnostics, and antimicrobial stewardship.

His leadership in rapid identification and containment of respiratory pathogens, including MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, and his role in digital epidemiology and real-time decision-making, have served to enhance global outbreak interventions.

Recently, Prof. Al-Tawfiq has examined how big data and AI platforms can help to predict infection outbreaks and monitor infection trends. In antimicrobial stewardship, he has explored how data-driven prescribing models and integrating data with health informatics can balance clinical needs with resistance prevention. He also conducted research into public health preparedness for the Hajj and other mass gatherings.

Dr. Saeed Al Yami, Chief Quality and Patient Safety Officer at JHAH, said: “We are incredibly fortunate to have such a talented and diligent infectious diseases expert here at JHAH. Professor Al-Tawfiq is passionate about his work, and the positive impact of his efforts extends far beyond our hospital. We are delighted that his valuable contribution to infectious diseases research has been recognized with a second national award in the space of a few months.”

The SPIDS Annual Award is the second national award that Prof. Al-Tawfiq has won this year. In May, he was presented the Vaccine Research and Innovation Award at the 7th Saudi International Vaccination Forum for his yearslong studies across multiple fields of vaccinology.

Prof. Al-Tawfiq also received an Excellence in Health Research Lifetime Achievement Award from the Saudi Research, Development & Innovation Authority in October 2024.

The SPIDS Annual Award was presented to Prof. Al-Tawfiq on September 15 at the SPIDS Week 2025 conference in Medina. The event took place under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Medina. Prof. Al Tawfiq received the award from His Excellency Abdul Mohsen bin Nayef bin Humaid, Deputy Governor of Medina.

The SPIDS Annual Award is presented each year to an individual whose work significantly contributes to the theme of that year’s SPIDS Week. The theme for the 2025 event was innovations that are shaping the future of pediatric infectious diseases.

The SPIDS, which is based in Riyadh, is a national professional association that brings together pediatric infectious diseases specialists with backgrounds in molecular, translational, and clinical research of infections, and the clinical management of these illnesses in children.