Dr. Salim Abdool Karim is a distinguished South African public health leader who has made significant contributions to global health throughout his career. Born in 1960 in Durban under apartheid rule, he attended the University of Natal's medical school, graduating as a medical doctor in 1983 despite financial constraints that initially threatened his education. While at medical school, he simultaneously pursued studies in computer science and statistics through correspondence courses, demonstrating his early interdisciplinary approach to medicine. His career began with mentorship under Professor Jerry Coovadia, leading to his first publication as a third-year medical student that highlighted racial disparities in health during apartheid. Salim Abdool Karim is Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and Director of the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA).
Dr. Abdool Karim's groundbreaking research in HIV prevention has had profound global impact, particularly through the landmark CAPRISA 004 tenofovir gel trial which provided the first proof-of-concept that antiretroviral drugs can prevent sexually transmitted HIV infection in women. His two decades of work on microbicides for HIV prevention has saved thousands of lives and transformed the landscape of HIV prevention strategies worldwide. His clinical research on TB-HIV co-infection treatment has shaped international guidelines for managing these dual epidemics, directly influencing clinical practice across multiple continents. As co-inventor on patents utilized in several HIV vaccine candidates, his scientific contributions have advanced multiple fronts in the fight against HIV/AIDS through both prevention and treatment innovations.
Beyond his research contributions, Dr. Abdool Karim serves in numerous leadership roles that shape global health policy, including as Chair of the UNAIDS Scientific Expert Panel and Chair of the WHO's HIV Strategic and Technical Advisory Group. His expertise was critically sought during the COVID-19 pandemic when he led South Africa's Ministerial Advisory Committee to guide the national pandemic response while actively countering misinformation. Recognized with prestigious awards including the N'Galy-Mann Award and the Science-for-Society Gold Medal Award, he continues to influence global health through his membership in the US National Academy of Medicine and the Royal Society. Currently, he remains actively engaged in bridging scientific research with public health policy, focusing on strengthening pandemic preparedness and advancing equitable access to HIV prevention and treatment technologies worldwide.
