Ruth Berkelman, MD

Emory University Preparedness and Emergency Response Research Center
Department of Epidemiology
1518 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta, GA
USA 30322
Email: rberkel@emory.edu

Biographical Sketch:
As Director of Emory Preparedness and Emergency Response Research Center, Ruth Berkelman, MD, is responsible for the overall administrative and scientific oversight of the program. Dr. Berkelman is the Rollins Chair and Director of the Center for Public Health Preparedness and Research, RSPH (CPHPR). The CPHPR, initiated in 2002 by a grant from the O. Wayne Rollins Foundation, has focused on research, teaching, and service in the area of public health preparedness and emerging infectious diseases. Before coming to Emory in 2001, she served as Assistant Surgeon General and as Deputy Director of the National Center for Infectious Diseases at CDC where she led the development of the first CDC plan to address emerging infectious disease threats. Dr. Berkelman holds an active medical license and is board certified in pediatrics and internal medicine. Elected to the Institute of Medicine in 2004, she has served on numerous advisory bodies on issues related to public health disaster preparedness, and emerging infectious diseases. She has served on the Review Committee for the Harvard School of Public Health (2005-2008) and as a trustee of Princeton University (2000-2004), where she is currently on their Advisory Board for a Healthy Princeton. In 2007, Secretary Leavitt appointed her to the National Biodefense Science Board. Dr. Berkelman is nationally and internationally recognized work in infectious diseases, public health and biosecurity policy.