Biography

Adrian Puren is the former Executive Director of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases/NHLS and Head of the Centre for HIV and STIs.

Professor Puren has published in various fields of infectious diseases and has headed a range of studies as principal or co-principal investigator. Adrian headed the HVTN endpoint laboratory for HIV diagnosis for South Africa and the region. He successfully implemented HIV testing for multiple vaccine and prevention trials in the past 23 years.

He has overseen the development of the current protocols for verifying HIV rapid tests, including HIV-related testing for South Africa. He has overseen the implementation of ISO 13485 certification. As a recipient of PEPFAR funding, he oversaw the implementation of HIV rapid Testing Quality improvements, including quality management training and post-market surveillance at a national level. He has contributed to national HIV rapid testing guidelines.