The Institute for Public Health announces the appointment of Elvin H. Geng MD, MPH, as the new director of the Institute’s Center for Dissemination and Implementation Science (CDI). He is also named professor of medicine for the Washington University Medical School’s Division of Infectious Diseases.
“Both in the U.S. and internationally, Implementation Science has become a key discipline as we try to bring the benefits of discovery to wider populations,” said William G. Powderly, the Larry J. Shapiro Director of the Institute for Public Health. “Washington University has been a national leader in Implementation Science, and Elvin will build upon the outstanding leadership provided by Enola Proctor, the outgoing director of the Center for Dissemination and Implementation, and its team.”
Dr. Geng was most recently the associate professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases, Global Health and HIV at University of California, San Francisco and is an internationally-recognized leader in implementation science as applied to HIV.
He earned his MD and MPH degrees from Columbia University and subsequently completed postdoctoral training through the Aaron Diamond AIDS Institute (posted in Kunming, China) as well as fellowship training in infectious diseases at the University of California in San Francisco. Using the lens of implementation science, he conducts research to optimize the use of evidence-based interventions in the public health response to HIV.
Currently, through diverse collaborations in Kenya, Zambia, Uganda, as well as in safety net settings in the U.S., he leads work to advance strategies for HIV treatment success. His work is sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the NIH. He serves in an advisory capacity for the WHO, non-governmental organizations, and professional organizations. Dr. Geng is also an academic editor at PLOS Medicine, a member of the editorial board of JAIDS and JIAS as well as editor for implementation science at Current HIV/AIDS Reports.
“I am thrilled to join the dynamic environment at WashU and the Institute for Public Health and excited to work with the the world’s leaders in the field here to advance the science,” says Dr. Geng.
The Center for Dissemination and Implementation at the Institute for Public Health promotes the adoption of proven treatments, programs and strategies for routine practice.
The Institute for Public Health harnesses the strengths of Washington University in St. Louis to address the complex health issues and health disparities facing the St. Louis region and the world. It is a Connector, improving, amplifying, and supporting public health efforts here and around the world; a Convener bringing together cross-disciplinary collaborators to share knowledge, form partnerships and turn ideas into action; and, it’s a Catalyst inspiring innovative solutions to today’s most pressing public health challenges through targeted events, seed funding, and other opportunities.