Sharon A. Riddler, MD, MPH, has been appointed to the leadership role of Associate Chief of Clinical Research with the Division of Infectious Diseases. Dr. Riddler has been a member of the ID Division for the past 27 years and holds the academic rank of Professor of Medicine. Additionally, she holds a secondary appointment in the Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology in the Graduate School of Public Health.

Dr. Riddler’s career is built upon collaborative clinical research projects focused on HIV/AIDS. She is the Co-PI of the NIH/DAIDS-funded Pitt-OSU HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials Unit and the Site Leader for the University of Pittsburgh Clinical Research Site (affiliated with both the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) and the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN). She is responsible for implementation of all trials conducted at the Pitt CRS for the ACTG, MTN, HVTN, and other sponsors, and manages day-to-day operations including budgets, staffing, regulatory, and data activities for the site. She is currently Co-PI for an ongoing U01 funded pilot study of autologous dendritic cells as a therapeutic vaccine in HIV, and, PI for a U01 funded clinical trial of Phase 1 trial of vaccination with a native-like envelope trimer in people living with HIV (PLWH). Dr. Riddler serves as the ID Division scientific reviewer for protocols submitted to the IRB and risk reviewer for studies conducted through the UPMC OSPARS system.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Riddler led a team of dedicated researchers to successfully implement clinical trials of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and therapies under very taxing timelines. This proven leadership skill and her many accomplishments will serve the Division well in her new role as Associate Chief for Clinical Research.