Salim Abdool Karim

Salim S. Abdool Karim is the CAPRISA Professor of Global Health at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health and Director of CAPRISA. He holds adjunct roles at Weill Medical College of Cornell University and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research). A clinical epidemiologist, his work focuses on HIV prevention, microbicides, and TB-HIV co-infection. His landmark CAPRISA 004 trial demonstrated tenofovir gel’s efficacy in preventing HIV and herpes in women.

• Education: MBChB (University of Natal, 1983), MS (Columbia University, 1988), PhD (University of Natal, 1999)
• Leadership Roles: Chair of UNAIDS Scientific Expert Panel, WHO HIV/TB Task Force member
• Research Interests: Global Health, HIV/AIDS, Infectious Diseases

His research has shaped global guidelines for TB-HIV management and influenced HIV vaccine development through patented innovations. Awards include TWAS Prize in Medical Sciences (2008) and 2024 Lasker Award.