Our Faculty

Salim S. Abdool Karim, MD, PhD, is a clinical infectious diseases epidemiologist whose research interests are in microbicides and vaccines to prevent HIV infection, as well as implementing antiretroviral therapy in resource constrained settings. In addition to his faculty position as professor of clinical Epidemiology at the Mailman School, he is pro vice-chancellor (Research), University of KwaZulu-Natal and Director of CAPRISA - Centre for the AIDS Program of Research in South Africa. Dr. Abdool Karim recently led the NIH-funded HPTN 035 microbicide trial which revealed the potential of anionic polymer, PRO2000, in preventing HIV infection in women. His clinical research on TB-HIV treatment has impacted and continues to shape the clinical management of co-infected patients. He has published widely on infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, measles and hepatitis B, and co-edited the textbook that is used extensively to teach epidemiology in South Africa. Dr. Abdool Karim is chair of the WHO Scientific Advisory Group for Reproductive Health and is a member of the WHO Expert Advisory Panel on Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV.

PhD, University of Natal, Durban, 1999

Other, University of Natal, Durban, 1992

Other, College of Medicine, South Africa, 1991

MS, Columbia University, New York, 1988

Other, University of Natal, Durban, 1983

Mailman School Affiliations:

• Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) 

Additional Affiliations:

• Fellow, Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS), 2008 - present
• Fellow, Royal Society of South Africa, 2003 - present
• Member, Academy of Science of South Africa, 2001- present
• Member, International AIDS Society, 1996 - present
• Member, International Epidemiological Association, 1989 - present

• TWAS Prize in Medical Sciences - awarded by The Academy of Sciences for the Developing World, 2008
• • Outstanding Senior African Scientist Award from the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), 2011
• • Allan Rosenfield Alumni Award for Excellence from Columbia University's Alumni Association in recognition for excellence in AIDS research, 2011
• • Science-for-Society Gold Medal Award from the Academy of Science in South Africa (ASSAf) in recognition of excellence in the application of outstanding scientific thinking in the service of society, 2011
• • Medicine Award - Fellowship in Art & Science of Medicine (Gold) from the South African Medical Association in recognition for excellence in research on microbicides, vaccines and TB-HIV treatment, 2011

Selected Editorial Boards

• Associate Editor: AIDS Clinical Care, 2001 - present

MTN: Microbicide Trials Network Project URL: http://www.mtnstopshiv.org

The MTN is an international network of researchers collaborating on the development and testing of microbicides for the prevention of HIV infection. Dr Abdool Karim is a Member of the Executive Committee of the MTN and Protocol Chair of the HPTN 035 trial that assessed the safety and effectiveness of candidate microbicides PRO2000 and Buffergel.

Countries: Malawi; South Africa; United States; Zambia; Zimbabwe

CAPRISA: Center for the AIDS Program of Research in South Africa Project URL: http://www.caprisa.org/

CAPRISA is a multi-institutional program to undertake globally relevant and locally responsive research that contributes to understanding HIV pathogenesis and epidemiology as well as the links between tuberculosis and AIDS care, builds local research infrastructure through cores of expertise, and provides training through research fellowships tenable in South Africa and the USA.

Countries: South Africa