Phyllis Kanki

Phyllis Kanki is a Professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases. She leads global health initiatives focused on HIV/AIDS, virology, and molecular epidemiology in West Africa. Key roles include co-directing the AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria (APIN) and leading Harvard’s PEPFAR program, which provided HIV care to over 160,000 patients. Her work integrates implementation science to improve clinical outcomes and capacity building in resource-limited settings.

Education: D.V.M. (University of Minnesota School of Veterinary Medicine) and D.Sc. (Harvard School of Public Health).

Research interests span HIV co-infections, ART efficacy, PMTCT interventions, and emerging pathogens like Ebola and Zika viruses. She pioneered studies on ZIKV’s endemicity in West Africa and its impact on pregnancy outcomes. During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, she collaborated on antigen/antibody assays and pan-subgroup betacoronavirus surveillance tools.

Publications highlight maternal health in HIV-positive populations, cross-reactive immunity to coronaviruses, and stigma reduction strategies. She has mentored over 60 trainees and holds honorary faculty status at Nigerian universities.

Awards include an honorary degree from the University of Lagos (2024). Current projects include point-of-care HIV viral load monitoring and Zika’s impact on birth outcomes in Nigeria.