Michael Saag

Michael Saag is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Associate Dean for Global Health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Medicine. He directs the UAB Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) and leads the CFAR Network of Integrated Clinical Systems (CNICS). His roles include Principal Investigator for CNICS, a NIH-funded initiative analyzing clinical data from CFAR centers. He founded the UAB 1917 HIV Clinic, which focuses on real-world clinical trials and quality improvement in HIV treatment. Saag co-leads the NA-ACCORD, an international collaboration for comparative effectiveness research, and serves on the Executive Steering Committee of the ART-CC, an international cohort group.

Educations:

• Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the University of Louisville
• Fellowship in Infectious Diseases at UAB Hospital
• Postdoctoral Fellowship and Residency training at UAB Hospital

Research Interests: His work spans HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B/C, and global health. He focuses on antiretroviral therapy, cardiovascular complications in HIV patients, and improving access to care. Key areas include myocardial infarction risk in HIV populations, HCV treatment guidelines, and optimizing ART regimens.

Articles Trends: Recent publications emphasize HIV-related cardiovascular risks, antiretroviral guidelines, and global health initiatives. Studies highlight the need for adjudication in MI classification among HIV patients and the impact of viral load/CD4 counts on mortality.

Awards:

• Castle-Connelly Physician of the Year (2014)
• Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame (2014)
• Seven Argus Awards for Teaching Excellence
• Top 10 Cited HIV Researcher (Science, 1996)

Grants & Advising: Over 25 trainees mentored, including academic leaders. Active grants include CFAR funding, clinical trials units, and studies on HIV-associated cognitive impairment. His work spans $450+ manuscripts and collaborations like the Sanford Guides.

Labs/Teams: Leads UAB CFAR, CNICS, and the 1917 HIV Clinic. Collaborates internationally through NA-ACCORD and ART-CC, advancing clinical research and global health initiatives.