Dr Elaine Abrams

Dr Abrams is a Professor of Epidemiology and Pediatrics at Columbia University Medical Center and Senior Director of Research at ICAP at Columbia University. She has over 35 years of experience in the prevention and treatment of HIV infection and associated infectious diseases in pregnant women, children, adolescents and families as a clinician, researcher and public health practitioner. Her research has focused on determinants of vertical HIV transmission and optimizing approaches and treatments to improve maternal health and prevent new pediatric infections.

Her research has also concentrated on improving diagnostics and treatments for children and adolescents with HIV infection and accelerating access to better medications for children including infants as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women. She has played a pivotal role in translating scientific discoveries into clinical guidance as a longstanding member of US guidelines groups and chair of WHO HIV guidelines and technical working groups.

Dr Abrams is a founding member of ICAP, a leader in global public health, where she has had the privilege to take part in and inform the global HIV response leading to the successful scale-up of HIV prevention, care and treatment services worldwide.