He holds an MD from the University of Massachusetts Medical School and an MS from the Tufts School of Graduate Biomedical Studies. An infectious disease specialist, he has an extensive academic and research career in global health.
He served on the faculty of the Department of Global Health at the Boston University School of Public Health during two periods (2002–2008 and 2011–2023), where he became a Full Professor of Global Health. Between 2008 and 2011, he worked in industry as Clinical Director at Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, leading the development of the MenACWY-CRM meningococcal conjugate vaccine.
His research focuses on child survival, particularly diarrheal diseases, pneumonia, and neonatal health, with a strong emphasis on the epidemiology of pediatric respiratory infections, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Bordetella pertussis, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
His recent work includes studies on RSV-related infant mortality in Lusaka, Zambia, and the burden of COVID-19 mortality across age groups in the same setting.
Throughout his academic career, he has received major teaching awards at Boston University, including the Norman Scotch Award and the Metcalf Cup and Prize, the university’s highest teaching honor.
He currently serves as Professor of Global Health.
