Skip to main content

APHL Committee Overview

APHL committees advance our strategic objectives—shaping the future of public health laboratory science, practice and policy in the US and globally.

Join a Committee
Questions?

Contact us: [email protected]

Supporting the work of APHL

About APHL Committees

APHL committees are highly proactive and forward focused. Through their work, committees shape the future of public health laboratory science, practice and policy. A liaison from the Board of Directors serves on each advisory committee to facilitate coordination and communication between the Board and committees. 

APHL's Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is the governing body of APHL. It provides financial and management oversight and guidance while exercising its fiduciary duties of loyalty, obedience and care.

Meet our Board of Directors
  • Board of Directors: APHL's governing body, provides financial and management oversight and guidance while exercising its fiduciary duties of loyalty, obedience and care.
  • Finance Committee: Assists the Board in its financial oversight responsibilities. Oversees the preparation of the annual and interim unrestricted budgets and financial statements and advises the Board on financial policies and practices.
  • Audit Committee: Assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with regard to financial reporting, internal controls, risks and the annual independent audit process.
  • Nominations Committee: Provides a slate of candidates from among APHL member representatives for election to the APHL Board of Directors.
Advisory committees focus on a particular scientific focus area or type of work. Explore the full list of our committees below, and visit their webpages to learn more about their priorities and work.

We also convene several committees outside the main scope of APHL's advisory role: 

Shaping public health science, practice and policy

Explore Our Advisory Committees

Visit each committee’s page to find their charges and learn more about their priorities and work:

  • Biosafety and Biosecurity Committee
    Provides leadership and guidance on policies and practices that impact biosafety and biosecurity in state, local and territorial governmental laboratories.
  • Environmental Health Committee
    Advises and influences public health and environmental laboratories about ongoing and emerging chemical, environmental and public health threats that impact human health.
  • Environmental Laboratory Science Committee
    Works on issues related to testing the natural and built environment, including water, soil, air, biota, consumer products and other substances.
  • Foodborne Diseases Committee
    Advises and influences the practice of non-federal, governmental laboratories that perform clinical, food and environmental testing in support of public health surveillance and investigation of foodborne illness.
  • Global Health Committee
    Advocates for and enhances the visibility of APHL’s global health work, advising and supporting global health strategies and activities.
  • Human and Animal Food Committee
    Identifies and responds to the needs of the human and animal food testing laboratory community and supports the FDA’s goal to build a fully integrated food safety system.
  • Infectious Diseases Committee
    Advises the Board, the Association and its partners on laboratory capacity and capability and the role of the laboratory in the detection, control and prevention of infectious diseases of public health significance.
  • Informatics Overview
    Provides leadership and guidance on information systems, electronic lab messaging and health information exchange, and serves as APHL’s resource for subject matter expertise on information systems, systems standards and the informatics workforce.
  • Knowledge Management Committee
    Provides guidance on effective management and use of APHL resources for members to improve laboratory processes, procedures and systems, and adapts, develops, collects, organizes and disseminates tools to promote public health practice.
  • Laboratory Systems and Standards Committee
    Strengthens quality management systems by promoting the sustainability of public health laboratory systems and supporting the improvement of accuracy and reliability of laboratory results and services in member laboratories.
  • Membership Empowerment and Impact Committee
    Promotes open dialogue, understanding and collaboration among APHL members to support opportunities, advancement and engagement for the APHL public health laboratory community.
  • Newborn Screening Committee
    Provides leadership and guidance on matters regarding newborn screening and genetic testing as they relate to issues affecting the membership.
  • Overdose Biosurveillance Task Force
    Provides subject matter expertise and input into the creation, dissemination and promotion of resources for public health laboratories responding to the evolving overdose epidemic.
  • Public Health Preparedness and Response Committee
    Provides technical expertise on all-hazards laboratory preparedness for, and response to, public health emergencies, natural disasters and emerging threats.
  • Workforce Development Committee
    Helps identify and recommend strategies to solve current and future workforce needs, steer training and continuing education, and promote and encourage diversity in the workforce.
Join Us

Become a Committee Member

Committee members serve one-, two- or three-year terms, with new members appointed each spring by the Board’s president-elect. Subcommittees, task forces and work groups are formed on an ad hoc basis in response to emerging issues.

Committee Applications are Open

Applications for open committee positions will be accepted through May. Learn more.