People in the global health news - June 2020

NIH Director receives prestigious appointments

The Royal Society, the United Kingdom's national academy of sciences, has elected NIH Director Dr. Francis S. Collins as one of 10 exceptional scientists worldwide to be added as Foreign Members. Collins was recognized for his human genetics contributions. In addition, the Trump Administration has added Collins to the U.S. coronavirus task force.

Former Fogarty advisory board member dies

Dr. Charles Carpenter, who for several decades collaborated on Brown University’s Fogarty AIDS research training grant, died in March. Carpenter had chaired the treatment subcommittee to evaluate the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). He also served as a Fogarty advisory board member and received the 2003 Fogarty Award for International Health.

Fogarty grantees recognized for contributions

Fogarty grantees Drs. Quarraisha Abdool Karim and Salim S. Abdool Karim are the recipients of the 2020 John Dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award. The pair was recognized for their discovery that antiretrovirals prevent HIV from being sexually transmitted, which led to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and a reduction in HIV infections in Africa and around the world.

In addition, Dr. Quarraisha Abdool Karim, whose research showed a topical gel could prevent HIV transmission among women, has been awarded one of France's top science prizes. Karim will receive the 2020 Christophe Merieux Prize for her work at the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), which she heads.

AIDS researcher, NIH grantee dies of COVID-19

Longtime NIH grantee and pioneering AIDS researcher Dr. Gita Ramjee died of COVID-19 in April. A South African scientist renowned for her work to expand women’s access to HIV treatment and prevention, Ramjee was the chief scientific officer of the Aurum Institute, a nonprofit organization based in Johannesburg.

Barsa selected as Acting USAID Administrator

John Barsa became Acting USAID Administrator in April, following the departure of Administrator Mark Green. Barsa was previously USAID’s Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean. The son of a Cuban refugee, he has a bachelor’s degree in international affairs from Florida International University.