Julie A. Ake

Dr. Julie A. Ake is a physician scientist at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), where she works in the Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program (IDCRP) focusing on HIV & Tuberculosis Epidemiology. With extensive clinical and research expertise, she contributes to military medicine and global infectious disease initiatives through her dual background in medicine and public health.

Her educational background includes:

• Doctor of Medicine (MD) from University of Washington - School of Medicine (1999-2003)
• MSc in Health Policy Planning and Financing from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London (1998-1999)
• A.B. in Economics and Public Policy from Stanford University (1994-1998)

Dr. Ake's research program integrates clinical medicine with epidemiological investigation, focusing on HIV vaccine development and implementation in resource-limited settings. Her work in military medicine addresses infectious disease threats to deployed personnel, while her global health research emphasizes health equity for marginalized populations including sexual and gender minorities. Her expertise spans clinical trial design, cohort study methodology, and pandemic response strategies, with significant contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic examining SARS-CoV-2 in HIV-affected populations.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strategic research portfolio advancing HIV prevention science through multiple complementary approaches: immunological studies of vaccine responses, computational vaccine design, and implementation research addressing behavioral barriers to prevention. Her work in Nigeria with men who have sex with men and transgender women demonstrates her commitment to addressing health disparities through culturally competent research.

Dr. Ake has served as principal investigator on major research initiatives including:

• HIV Vaccine Research and Development (2020-2022)
• HIV Vaccine Research and Development - Central Nervous System Studies (2019-2020)
• The Military HIV Research Program (MHRP) Clinical Trial Unit (2013-2022)

Her research network spans multiple continents with particularly strong collaborations in Africa, reflecting her dedication to building research capacity and addressing global health challenges through international partnerships. With 156 research outputs and an h-index of 30, her work has significantly influenced the field of HIV research and prevention.