Biography

Dr. Michael Vinikoor is an ID doctor and established global health researcher who has lived full-time in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) since 2012. While his longstanding research focus is on Hepatitis B, his research has expanded to more broadly address psychosocial and structural factors that promote the transmission and undermine the treatment of infectious diseases.

His three major research interests are (1) HIV-hepatitis B coinfection clinical and translational science, (2) unhealthy alcohol use measurement and intervention, and (3) implementation science related to hospitalization and post-discharge transitions of care in SSA.

Dr. Vinikoor contributes to UAB’s teaching mission both on campus and globally. Approximately 75% of his UAB career has been spent on the ground in Zambia, where I have been strongly committed to training African and international health professionals on behalf of UAB, with internal and external sources of funds.

Many of his clinical and research mentees in Zambia have gone on to leadership positions in the Zambian Ministry of Health, Zambia National Public Health Institute (equivalent to CDC), and the University of Zambia.