Areas of Research: Human host responses to M. tuberculosis - identification and development of TB biomarkers and diagnostics; correlates of M. tuberculosis infection activity; protective antibody responses and functions against M. tuberculosis
Professional Interests
Dr. Achkar is a physician scientist with a translational research program in the fields of tuberculosis (TB) biomarker discovery, diagnostics evaluations, and protective antibody responses and functions against TB. She is has many national and international collaborations with investigators from a broad range of expertise such as clinical research, epidemiology, modeling and statistics, microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and biodesign. Supported initially by an NIH patient-oriented mentored career development award (K23), her work continues to be funded by grants from foundations and the NIH.
Active tuberculosis (TB) is a transmissible respiratory disease that is caused by uncontrolled Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. Surpassing HIV, it is the leading cause of death from a single pathogen worldwide. To control this major global public health problem, accurate and simple point of care diagnostics, additional options of antituberculous therapies, and more effective vaccines are urgently needed. Dr. Achkar’s research has the potential to inform these all of these critically important fields.
Dr. Achkar received her Medical Diploma and Doctoral Degree from the Free University of Berlin, Germany, and her Master of Science Degree in Clinical Research Methods from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She completed her Medical Residency and Infectious Disease Fellowship at the New York University School of Medicine, New York, is board certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, and a fellow of the Infectious Disease Society of America (FIDSA). In addition to her research activities, Dr. Achkar enjoys being an active Infectious Disease attending physician, teacher, and mentor. She is further the Co-Director of Einstein’s Global Health Center, and the Associate Director for Translational Bench to Bedside Research of Einstein's Clinical Research Training Program.
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