Sharon Hillier | |
---|---|
Born | 1954 (age 68–69) [notes 1] Seattle |
Spouse | Butch |
Children | 2 |
Academic background | |
Education | B.S., Bacteriology and Public Health, 1976, Washington State University PhD., Bacteriology and Public Health, 1982, Washington State University |
Thesis | The glyoxylate cycle enzymes and intermediates in Yersinia pestis: diagnostic applications and a possible role in the infectious process (1982) |
Academic work | |
Institutions | University of Washington University of Pittsburgh Medical Center |
Sharon Louise Hillier (born 1954) is an American microbiologist. She is the Richard Sweet Endowed Chair in Reproductive Infectious Disease and vice chair of the department of obstetrics,gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) and Magee-Women's Research Institute.
Hillier was born and raised in Seattle,where she attended the University of Washington for her Bachelor of Science and doctoral degrees. [1]
While finishing her doctoral degree at Washington State University,Hillier studied the bubonic plague and began to specialize in sexually transmitted diseases. [2] This led her to join the HIV movement led by Polly Harrison and formed the Alliance for Microbicide Development. [1] She co-published a study in 1991 titled Reliability of diagnosing bacterial vaginosis is improved by a standardized method of gram stain interpretation [3] and attended the first White House Conference on HIV and AIDS in 1995 but was met with resistance. [1]
Hillier began teaching at the University of Washington as a research associate professor of obstetrics,gynecology and microbiology,before joining the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in 1995. [4] While at UPMC,Hillier continued her study into HIV and Aids and founded the Microbiocide Trials Network (MTN),an international research program which studies ways to stop transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. [5] After a failed study conducted in 2001 showed nonoxynol did not prevent HIV infections,her project tried studies on spermicides and substances designed to block the entry of viruses into cells,both of which failed. [2] During this time,she was appointed president of the Infectious Diseases Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology and sat on the board of the International Society for Sexually Transmitted Disease Research. [6]
In 2009,it was announced that Hillier would lead a National Institutes of Health funded project to identify novel bacteria that might play a role in the development of pelvic inflammatory diseases. [7] She also received the American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association's Thomas Parran Award during the International Society for Sexually Transmitted Diseases Research (ISSTDR) meeting "for her distinguished contributions to the field of STD research and prevention." [8] The following year,Hillier led a study in five countries of sub-Saharan Africa regarding the effectiveness of topical microbicides and prophylactic use of antiretroviral drugs in preventing the sexual transmission of HIV. [9] One of the studies proved tenofovir gel was successful in preventing HIV infections although it was unable to be reproduced by outside labs. [10]
By 2013,the MTN conducted 13 trials and was granted $70 million to develop and test HIV prevention products. The research was specifically focused on individuals who are having sex with men as they are at the highest risk. [11] During this time,she also served as chair of the NIH Office of AIDS Research Advisory Council. [6] In 2015,Hillier and Lisa Rohan conducted and concluded the first human clinical trials for antiretroviral containing vaginal film products intended to prevent HIV infection. [12] She also sat on the editorial boards of Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology,Reviews in Contemporary Pharmacotherapy,Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Anaerobe. [4] In 2019,Hillier was the recipient of the Pittsburgh Women who Rock Award from the UPMC Health Plan and UPMC Magee-Women's Hospital. [13]
Hillier and her husband Butch have two children together. [14]
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is an infection of the vagina caused by excessive growth of bacteria. Common symptoms include increased vaginal discharge that often smells like fish. The discharge is usually white or gray in color. Burning with urination may occur. Itching is uncommon. Occasionally, there may be no symptoms. Having BV approximately doubles the risk of infection by a number of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS. It also increases the risk of early delivery among pregnant women.
Trichomoniasis (trich) is an infectious disease caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. About 70% of affected people do not have symptoms when infected. When symptoms occur, they typically begin 5 to 28 days after exposure. Symptoms can include itching in the genital area, a bad smelling thin vaginal discharge, burning with urination, and pain with sex. Having trichomoniasis increases the risk of getting HIV/AIDS. It may also cause complications during pregnancy.
Vaginitis, also known as vulvovaginitis, is inflammation of the vagina and vulva. Symptoms may include itching, burning, pain, discharge, and a bad smell. Certain types of vaginitis may result in complications during pregnancy.
Nonoxynol-9, sometimes abbreviated as N-9, is an organic compound that is used as a surfactant. It is a member of the nonoxynol family of nonionic surfactants. N-9 and related compounds are ingredients in various cleaning and cosmetic products. It is widely used in contraceptives for its spermicidal properties.
Microbicides for sexually transmitted infections are pharmacologic agents and chemical substances that are capable of killing or destroying certain microorganisms that commonly cause sexually transmitted infection.
Vaginal flora, vaginal microbiota or vaginal microbiome are the microorganisms that colonize the vagina. They were discovered by the German gynecologist Albert Döderlein in 1892 and are part of the overall human flora. The amount and type of bacteria present have significant implications for an individual's overall health. The primary colonizing bacteria of a healthy individual are of the genus Lactobacillus, such as L. crispatus, and the lactic acid they produce is thought to protect against infection by pathogenic species.
A sexually transmitted infection (STI), also referred to as a sexually transmitted disease (STD) and the older term venereal disease (VD), is an infection that is spread by sexual activity, especially vaginal intercourse, anal sex, oral sex, or sometimes manual sex. STIs often do not initially cause symptoms, which results in a risk of passing the infection on to others. Symptoms and signs of STIs may include vaginal discharge, penile discharge, ulcers on or around the genitals, and pelvic pain. Some STIs can cause infertility.
Female genital disease is a disorder of the structure or function of the female reproductive system that has a known cause and a distinctive group of symptoms, signs, or anatomical changes. The female reproductive system consists of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, and vulva. Female genital diseases can be classified by affected location or by type of disease, such as malformation, inflammation, or infection.
Frederick Wabwire-Mangen is a Ugandan physician, public health specialist and medical researcher. Currently he is Professor of Epidemiology and Head of Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics at Makerere University School of Public Health. Wabwire-Mangen also serves as the Chairman of Council of Kampala International University and a founding member of Accordia Global Health Foundation’s Academic Alliance
David M. Serwadda is a Ugandan physician, medical researcher, academic, public health specialist and medical administrator. Currently he is a Professor of Public Health at Makerere University School of Public Health, one of the schools of Makerere University College of Health Sciences, a semi-autonomous constituent college of Makerere University, the oldest university in Uganda. Serwadda is also a founding member of Accordia Global Health Foundation's Academic Alliance.
CAPRISA 004 is the name of a clinical trial conducted by CAPRISA. This particular study was the first to show that a topical gel could reduce a person's risk of contracting HIV. The gel used in the study contained a microbicide.
Zeda Fran Rosenberg is an American microbiologist and epidemiologist, active in HIV biology and prevention. She is the chief executive officer of the International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM). IPM was founded by Rosenberg in 2002 and is a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing microbicides and other innovative HIV prevention products and making them available for women in developing countries.
CONRAD is a non-profit organization scientific research organization that works to improve the reproductive health of women, especially in developing countries. CONRAD was established in 1986 under a cooperative agreement between Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) and the United States Agency for International Development(USAID). CONRAD’s products are developed primarily for women in low-resource settings, in that they are designed to be safe, affordable and user-friendly. CONRAD is led by Scientific and Executive Director Gustavo Doncel, M.D., Ph.D. Primary funding for CONRAD comes from the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), with additional funding from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
A rectal microbicide is a microbicide for rectal use. Most commonly such a product would be a topical gel inserted into the anus so that it make act as protection against the contract of a sexually transmitted infection during anal sex.
A vaginal microbicide is a microbicide for vaginal use, generally as protection against the contraction of a sexually transmitted infection during vaginal sexual intercourse. Vaginal microbicides are topical gels or creams inserted into the vagina.
Lactobacillus jensenii is a normal inhabitant of the lower reproductive tract in healthy women. L. jensenii makes up 23% of vaginal microflora that is naturally occurring. It is also found on the skins of grapes at the time of their harvest. L. jensenii is sometimes used in producing fermented foods.
Elizabeth Anne Bukusi FAAS is a research professor working within the field of obstetrics and gynaecology, and global health. Bukusi's main areas of research focus around sexually transmitted infections, women's health, reproductive health, and HIV care, prevention and treatment. Bukusi is the Chief Research Officer at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and led a "landmark" study on the use of PrEP in Kenya.
Jeanne M. Marrazzo is an American physician-scientist and infectious diseases specialist. She is the director of the University of Alabama School of Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases and focuses on prevention of HIV infection using biomedical interventions. Marrazzo is also a fellow of the American College of Physicians and Infectious Disease Society of America. On August 2, 2023 Lawrence A. Tabak, acting director for the National Institutes of Health, named Jeanne M. Marrazzo as director of NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Lisa Cencia Rohan is an American chemist and pharmaceutical scientist.