NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - Google has named Larry Brilliant, a physician and former high-tech executive, to head its philanthropic arm, the company said Wednesday.

As executive director of Google.org, Brilliant will work with the company's co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin to define the mission and strategic goals of Google's (Research) philanthropy.

Brilliant, a doctor who specializes in global health issues, has a wide range of experience in the fields of international health and development as well as business and technology, Google said in a statement.

Brilliant helped with efforts to eradicate smallpox from India and has worked for the United Nations in the fields of blindness and polio eradication. He also served as CEO of Cometa Networks -- a wireless joint venture between Intel, IBM and AT&T -- and was a co-founder of the online community The Well.

Google.org, the philanthropic arm of the Internet search firm, focuses on several areas including global poverty, health, energy and the environment. It has made over $7 million in investments and grants.

-----------------

Click here for the latest tech headlines.