Robert Gross

Robert Gross, MD, MSCE, is a Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. He is actively involved with the Center for Global Health (CGH) and serves as Director of the International Core at the Penn Center for AIDS Research (CFAR). His global health work is primarily based in Botswana, focusing on HIV clinical investigation, research training, and implementation science.

His research interests span a wide range of critical global health issues, including HIV/AIDS, smoking cessation among people with HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), substance use, and delivery of care in low-resource settings. He emphasizes clinical epidemiology and behavioral interventions to improve health outcomes.

The recent publications highlight his focus on chronic infection management in HIV-positive populations, particularly examining tuberculosis recurrence and antiretroviral therapy adherence. These studies reflect a strong trend in observational and interventional clinical research aimed at optimizing treatment protocols in sub-Saharan Africa.

Dr. Gross leads major research grants, including an NIH Fogarty D43 training grant in HIV Clinical Epidemiology Research and an R01-funded randomized controlled trial comparing smoking cessation interventions for people with HIV in Botswana. These projects underscore his role in advancing both research capacity and clinical practice in global health.

He is actively engaged in international research collaborations, particularly through the Penn CFAR’s International Core, which supports global clinical research infrastructure, mentorship, and training for early-career scientists in regions heavily affected by HIV.