Trump selects Muslim American to hunt for vaccine as global research intensifies

US President Donald Trump has selected Muslim American Moncef Mohamed Slaoui to head a fast-track programme called for finding a vaccine for Covid-19.

Moncef Mohamed Slaoui headed GlaxoSmithKline’s vaccines department, and worked for the company for thirty years. — Photo courtesy DR via TelQuel

“Operation Warp Speed’s chief scientist will be Dr Moncef Slaoui, a world-renowned immunologist who helped create 14 new vaccines,” President Trump announced at a White House news briefing on Friday afternoon. “That’s a lot of our new vaccines — in 10 years, during his time in the private sector,” he added.

Born in 1959 in Agadir, Morocco, Dr Slaoui headed GlaxoSmithKline’s vaccines department, and worked for the company for thirty years.

Read fill story here.

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Live Coronavirus

Branded Content

Why SQD-Mini LED is the display breakthrough we’ve been waiting for?

The display industry is entering a new phase, where reducing trade-offs is as important as pushing performance limits.

The Palms at Silk Gardens introduces a new family address in Karachi

The Palms places families at the heart of its vision, offering thoughtfully planned 2 and 3-bedroom units in a secure, peaceful and community-led environment.

K&N's SmartCooking Recipes: Pancake Sliders

Fun and tasty pancake sliders layered with crispy nuggets, fried egg, fresh salad and creamy sauces for a playful twist on a classic snack.

Most Popular

'Shukriya Pakistan': Islamabad's mediatory role acclaimed as world welcomes US-Iran agreement

Smuggled dinosaur fossils return to Mongolia after two decades

India rout Pakistan at women's T20 World Cup

Islamabad MoU nears finalisation as US, Iran clash on signing date

Pakistan secures top position at international military drill competition in UK: ISPR

PAF trainer aircraft crashes near Mardan, both pilots martyred

Punjab expands Liquid Tree project to tackle urban pollution

Budget FY26-27: How much tax will you pay? Use the Dawn Income Tax Calculator to find out

Budget presser

Latest Stories

PM directs authorities to expedite work on 100MW solar power project in GB

Govt's economic planning mindful of possible external and geopolitical risks, finmin tells UK MP

Indian wunderkind Sooryavanshi, 15, loses cool in on-field spat during Sri Lanka match

US Air Force B-52 bomber crashes in California, killing all 8 crew aboard

Aurangzeb sees budget upside from US-Iran deal, but says 'way too premature' to revise projections

Critics circling, Mbappe turns to favourite stage at the FIFA World Cup

Opinion

Beyond the numbers

Arifa Noor

The budget makes it clear the government has continued with some of its bad habits.

Updated 16 Jun, 2026

Iran’s remaining two vows

Jawed Naqvi

16 Jun, 2026

Racialising abuse

Shumaila Jaffery

16 Jun, 2026

Manmade drought

Naseer Memon

Updated 15 Jun, 2026

A year on, stalemate persists

Maleeha Lodhi

Editorial

Updated 16 Jun, 2026

A new deal

AFTER three and a half months of war between US-Israel and Iran and an acrimonious temporary ceasefire, a genuine...

16 Jun, 2026

Charter of economy

NO one expected the PTI to accept the government’s invitation to sign a charter of economy; just as few expected...

16 Jun, 2026

Hostage seamen

SOME 50 days on, 11 Pakistani nationals are still in Somali pirates’ captivity. Their appeals to the Pakistani and...

Updated 15 Jun, 2026

Climate choices

The country is confronting increasingly volatile weather patterns with consequences for agriculture, infrastructure, public health and economic planning.

15 Jun, 2026