Eleni Aklillu

I am Professor of Global Health Pharmacology, Senior Research Scientist, and Leader of the Global Health Pharmacology and Therapeutics (GH-Pharma) Research Group at the Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden. My research addresses major global health challenges affecting low- and middle-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on optimizing the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. I investigate how genetic variation, drug-drug interactions, co-infections, comorbidities, nutrition, and environmental factors influence the safety, efficacy, and effectiveness of medicines, generating evidence that informs clinical practice, public health policy, and international treatment guidelines.

Over the past three decades, I have led multidisciplinary clinical research and capacity-strengthening programmes across Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda, addressing HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, neglected tropical diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and maternal and child health. By integrating clinical pharmacology, neuropsychopharmacology, clinical trials, pharmacogenomics, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD),  drug-drug interaction studies, biomarker discovery, implementation science, pharmacovigilance, and regulatory science, my work has contributed to treatment optimization, evidence-based policy development, health systems strengthening, and the advancement of precision medicine.

Through multinational programmes funded by EDCTP, the European Union, Sida, and the Swedish Research Council, I have contributed to strengthening clinical trial infrastructure, pharmacovigilance systems, medicines regulation, research ethics, and regulatory science across Africa while fostering sustainable South-South and North-South partnerships. My research has supported the translation of scientific discoveries into policies and practices that improve patient care and public health outcomes.

A central component of my work is research capacity and institutional strengthening. I have supervised and mentored more than 30 PhD graduates, postdoctoral fellows, and early-career scientists, many of whom now hold leadership positions in universities, National Medicines Regulatory Authorities, WHO, Africa CDC, and public health programmes. To date, my research programmes have generated more than 190 peer-reviewed publications and contributed to building sustainable scientific leadership and research excellence across Africa.

• Postdoctoral Training in Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
• PhD in Molecular Genetics, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden (2003)
• MSc in Biochemistry, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia (1996)
• Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm), Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia (1987)

• Member, WHO-TDR Global External Review Group (since 2022)
• Member, WHO-TDR Scientific Working Group on Implementation Research (since 2021)
• Donald Mackay Medal (2020), awarded by the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene for outstanding contributions to tropical health
• Member, Committee for Development Research, Swedish Research Council (2016–2020)
• Vice-Chair and Member, Strategic Advisory Committee, EDCTP (2014–2018)
• Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (FRCP Edin) (2015)
• Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences (FAAS) (2015)

Funding

Research Group Website:  GH-Pharma Research Group

• Clinical trial capacity development
• Research leadership and mentorship
• Implementation science and knowledge translation
• Health systems strengthening
• Pharmacovigilance and regulatory capacity development
• Sustainable Africa-Europe scientific partnerships and institutional strengthening