I have a keen interest in contributing to the evaluation of new drugs for TB and MDR TB including the conduct of clinical trials and subsequent economic analyses to inform global decisions on new treatment regimen. I have recently joined the MRC Clinical Trials Unit and would be contributing to a number of clinical trials. I am involved in the evaluation of new diagnostics and the implications of these on trials of anti TB drugs. I would hope that my experience to date of the clinical management of TB, working as the national programme manager for TB in England, conducting clinical trials and of evaluating public health interventions would allow me to contribute positively to the group.