Overview
The Lab is dedicated to advancing our understanding of different population health conditions. Our current focus is on investigating the spread of respiratory infections with a particular emphasis on COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus, as well as evaluating the effectiveness of vaccines, therapeutics, and natural immunity in controlling these infections.
In addition to respiratory diseases, the Lab is committed to promoting reproductive health by improving our understanding of the epidemiology of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, including gonorrhea, chlamydia, and herpes simplex virus. The Lab’s scope further extends to addressing public health challenges posed by other health conditions, such as viral hepatitis. The Lab works with and is integrated within the Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group at WCM-Q.
Through the integration of diverse epidemiological study designs, advanced statistical methods, and meta-analytic techniques, the Lab aims to generate data-driven insights that inform public health strategies and outcomes at both regional and global levels.
The Lab is led by Dr. Hiam Chemaitelly, an epidemiologist renowned for her high-impact contributions to the field. She has authored over 150 publications, many of which in leading scientific journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, Nature Medicine, JAMA, Lancet Infectious Diseases, Lancet Microbe, Lancet Global Health, Lancet HIV, and Nature Communications. Her work has been instrumental in shaping health policy and optimizing resource allocation across the Middle East and North Africa, and globally. Widely recognized for her expertise, Dr. Chemaitelly’s research has been featured in prominent media outlets such as The New York Times, Washington Post, and CNN, highlighting the global impact of her work.