Philip Downs
About Philip Downs
Philip Downs serves as the NTD Technical Director at Sightsavers in Durham, North Carolina, a position he has held since 2017. He has an extensive background in public health, with degrees from several institutions and previous roles at RTI International and The Carter Center.
Work at Sightsavers
Philip Downs has served as the NTD Technical Director at Sightsavers since 2017. In this role, he focuses on the technical aspects of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), contributing to the organization's mission of improving health and well-being in underserved communities. His work is based in Durham, North Carolina, where he has been instrumental in guiding initiatives aimed at combating NTDs through strategic planning and program implementation.
Education and Expertise
Philip Downs has an extensive educational background in public health and program management. He earned a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) from UNC Chapel Hill, focusing on International Public Health from 2012 to 2014. He also holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Emory University, where he studied Program Management and Evaluation, as well as Infectious Diseases from 2000 to 2002. His undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Arts in Medical Anthropology from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, completed from 1992 to 1996.
Professional Background
Prior to his current role at Sightsavers, Philip Downs held various positions at RTI International. He worked there as a Senior Manager from 2012 to 2017, and as a Technical Advisor from 2010 to 2012. His career also includes a role as Project Manager at RTI International from 2009 to 2010. Before joining RTI, he served as Assistant Director at The Carter Center from 2002 to 2009 and as a Health Extension Worker with the United States Peace Corps from 1997 to 1999.
Career Progression
Philip Downs has demonstrated a progressive career in public health and disease management. His early experience includes working as a Health Extension Worker with the United States Peace Corps, followed by a significant tenure at The Carter Center. His roles at RTI International reflect a trajectory of increasing responsibility, culminating in his current position as NTD Technical Director at Sightsavers, where he has been for over seven years.