New voice for HIV policy

Public health policy in Queensland is set to get a new specialist voice with the appointment of an HIV expert to the University of Queensland (UQ). Last week Professor Charles Gilks (pictured right) became the new head of UQ’s School of Population Health and brings with him extensive experience and knowledge about developing and implementing HIV/AIDS management and reduction strategy and policy.

Gilks said he plans to build on UQ’s leadership in health and teaching, and hopes that he can strengthen the university’s contribution to evidence-informed health policy and practice, especially in regards to HIV/AIDS within Queensland.

”I am looking forward to the challenge of taking the helm of one of UQ’s leading schools with a strong global profile in public health and population science and to build on the dual track record of achievement in teaching and research,” Gilks said.

Gilks worked for the United Nations as the UNAIDS AIDS country coordinator for India. He has also worked with the World Health Organisation (WHO), where he was one of the chief architects responsible for their successful ‘3 by 5 Initiative’. This initiative focused on improving access to antiretroviral HIV therapy for the Third World.

An infectious disease physician, Gliks has held professorships at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and the Imperial College London.

Executive dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at UQ, Professor Nicholas Fisk, said he was thankful that the university had gained the wealth of knowledge that Gilks brings with him.

“I am very pleased that we have secured someone of the calibre of Professor Gilks, who is unusual in having combined pivotal policy with strong academic achievements,” he said.