Chris Van Beneden, MD, MPH, is a senior epidemiologist with the Respiratory Diseases Branch in the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Van Beneden currently directs CDC’s epidemiologic research, public policy development and public health response efforts pertaining to group A streptococcal (GAS) infections. Recent GAS-related activities include the launch of a study investigating potential host genetic determinants of necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, and, use of whole genome sequencing of GAS isolates collected through routine surveillance to identify outbreaks. Policies developed include guidance for the public health response to clusters of postpartum and post-surgical GAS infections and for management of outbreaks of severe GAS infections among residents of long-term care facilities. Dr. Van Beneden is also an expert in public health surveillance systems for community-acquired bacterial infections (including those due to GAS), respiratory disease outbreak management (domestically and internationally), and the study of vaccines to prevent pneumococcal disease among resource poor countries. Dr. Van Beneden has also served in key leadership roles during CDC’s response to international threats including those presented by the Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and Ebola virus.