Simiao Chen

Dr. Simiao Chen is an Associate Professor and Head of the Research Unit for Population Medicine, Economics and Policy at Heidelberg Institute of Global Health (Heidelberg University), with a joint appointment as Visiting Professor at Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College. She maintains active affiliations as an Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellow, Lancet COVID-19 Commissioner, and faculty at the German Academic Scholarship Foundation.

Her research focuses on:

• Population-level health interventions for COVID-19, COPD, hypertension and mental health
• Health economics and policy analysis in global contexts
• Macroeconomic burden modeling of chronic diseases
• Health system reforms and insurance coverage
• Behavioral science applications in public health

Her publication portfolio demonstrates strong emphasis on:

• Global burden of disease studies with economic projections
• Innovative pandemic responses (e.g., Fangcang hospitals)
• Health systems evaluation in LMICs
• Climate-health interactions
• Long-term care and insurance systems

Awards include:

• Consecutive ranking among world's top 2% scientists (2022-2023)
• Significant Progress of Medical Sciences Award (China, 2020)
• Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship

She leads a research unit funded by multiple international grants and advises through academic networks including the German Alliance for Global Health Research and Chinese Preventive Medicine Association.