Global Health Initiative
Mark Polhemus, Director, Center for Global Health and Translational Science
ABSTRACT
The Center for Global Health and Translational Science (CGHATS), founded in 2011, is a
leader in global health activities at Upstate Medical University. CGHATS is a multidisciplinary,
applied research and educational center working on the translational science continuum to
increase scientific knowledge of diseases of global importance, to conduct clinical trials of
potential drugs, vaccines and diagnostics, to support global training opportunities for all related
fields, and to improve the delivery of healthcare globally. Clinical research has focused on
diseases of the developing world such as Dengue, Rabies, Malaria, Zika, HIV/AIDS, Chagas,
and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). CGHATS faculty and staff include multiple clinicians and
research investigators with expertise in clinical research and infectious disease and a highly
experienced team of clinical research coordinators, regulatory affairs, quality assurance, project
management, and laboratory personnel. CGHATS offers educational opportunities for faculty,
students, and trainees both locally and abroad. Local courses include Infectious Disease
Epidemiology, Principles of Environmental Health, and Good Clinical, Manufacturing, and
Laboratory Practices certification. CGHATS has been supporting a vibrant research program on
emerging infectious diseases and public health interventions in southern coastal Ecuador since
2012, in partnership with Ecuadorian universities, the Ecuadorian Ministry of Health, and other
institutions and collaborators. Upstate's field site in Machala, Ecuador welcomes faculty,
students, and trainees to engage in our ongoing infectious disease and climate research. The
field site focuses on the interconnection of virus, vector, and environment on public health and
emergence of infectious diseases such as Dengue and Zika viruses. In conjunction with the
Machala field site, CGHATS offers a cultural and medical-Spanish immersion program that aims
to promote language and cultural competence for health service and public health professionals.
BIOGRAPHY
Mark Polhemus, MD is a physician-researcher who has been at Upstate Medical University for
approximately five years. He graduated from Brown University School of Medicine and
completed his residency and fellowship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. After 23 years in
the Army he retired and joined Upstate. He is board certified in Infectious Diseases and holds
appointments in Medicine and Microbiology and Immunology. He is a Fellow in the American
College of Physicians and American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and continues to
be clinically active in inpatient and outpatient medicine. He is Director, Upstate Center for Global
Health and Translational Science and remains a funded clinical researcher. His research
interests include development of vaccines, drugs and diagnostics for malaria, dengue, rabies
and other diseases with global impact.
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8 Annual NYS Biotechnology Symposium
- May 19 & 20, 2016 -