Quarraisha Abdool Karim

Quarraisha Abdool Karim is an infectious diseases epidemiologist, Associate Scientific Director of CAPRISA, UNAIDS Special Ambassador for Adolescents and HIV, Professor in Clinical Epidemiology, Columbia University; and Pro-Vice Chancellor for African Health at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Her research over the past 33 has focused on studying the evolving HIV epidemic in Africa, understanding HIV transmission dynamics; biological and behavioural factors that enhance women’s vulnerability to HIV; and evaluation of novel technologies to prevent HIV infection in young women. She co-led the landmark CAPRISA 004 tenofovir gel trial demonstrated for the first time that anti-retrovirals can prevent HIV and HSV-2 infection in women. She is a member of the PEPFAR Scientific Advisory Board; co-chairs the UN SDG 10 Member Technical Facilitation Mechanism and is Deputy Chair of the WHO HRP Alliance.