Indian American Economist Bhaven Sampat Named Bloomberg Professor at Johns Hopkins

Sampat's appointment, effective this academic year, places him at the intersection of economics and public policy, where he will investigate how government funding and patent rules influence research priorities. His work aims to steer scientific innovation toward pressing public needs, particularly in healthcare, and to assess the long-term societal returns on research investments.

Before joining Johns Hopkins, Sampat served as a professor at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, where he studied the political economy of pharmaceutical innovation and the impact of intellectual property on drug access. His research has informed debates on patent reform and the role of public funding in medical breakthroughs.

At Johns Hopkins, Sampat will be affiliated with both the Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration on science policy. He will also contribute to the university's broader initiative to translate research into tangible benefits for society.

The Bloomberg Distinguished Professorship, established through a gift from Michael R. Bloomberg, supports scholars whose work crosses traditional academic boundaries. Sampat joins a cohort of distinguished faculty addressing complex global challenges, including health equity and sustainable innovation.