Urvi M. Parikh, PhD, was recently promoted to the rank of Associate Professor of Medicine, retroactive to April 1, 2021. Dr. Parikh joined the ID Division in 2008 at the rank of Assistant Professor of Medicine. She has managed a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified Virology Core Laboratory of the Microbicide Trials Network (MTN) for over 10 years and serves as virologist for all MTN protocols. Her translational research laboratory utilizes novel technical approaches to solve public health problems in the areas of HIV prevention and drug resistance. Dr. Parikh’s laboratory confirms virologic endpoints for MTN studies, develops new assays and addresses research questions relevant to the field of HIV prevention; and, provides virology support to MTN protocols, international clinical research sites, and community working groups.
Dr. Parikh leads the USAID/PEPFAR-funded Global Evaluation of Microbicide Sensitivity (GEMS) Project, which monitors HIV drug resistance from the use of antiretrovirals for HIV prevention as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). She has built a strong team of laboratory scientists, health economists, and policy experts and over 50 partners and project collaborators to characterize resistance risk PrEP trials and demonstration projects in over five sub-Saharan African countries. Her leadership in this project has gained recognition nationally by the NIH and internationally by the World Health Organization (WHO) in their development of public health guidance based upon her work.
In the past three years, Dr. Parikh has taken on the responsibilities of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) compliance of the laboratory, European Medical Agency (EMA) submission for the dapivirine intravaginal ring, and becoming PI of the pharmacodynamics lab at Magee-Women Research Institute. She is widely recognized for her expertise in the clinically important issues of HIV prevention through PrEP, HIV diagnostics, and HIV drug resistance.
Dr. Parikh has a strong record of achievement as a collaborator and mentor. She continues to distinguish herself as a leading investigator in HIV prevention and drug resistance enhancing the academic environment of the Infections Diseases Division, the Department of Medicine and the School of Medicine.