Dr Heather Alexander was elected as Chair of the Core Group of the Global Laboratory Initiative (GLI) by the Core Group members. Dr Alexander joined the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2005 and is currently the CDC Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis (DGHT) TB and Clinical Monitoring Team Lead, expanding her efforts in support of integrated, patient-centered diagnostic laboratory capacity building.
During her tenure as a microbiologist in the Division of TB Elimination, International Research and Programs Branch, Dr. Alexander worked with the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) to manage collaborative multidrug-resistant TB diagnostic evaluations and implementation studies in several countries including the Russian Federation, Uzbekistan, Nepal, and the Philippines, contributed to the development of WHO TB diagnostic policies, and conducted applied TB research in collaboration with DTBE’s Laboratory Branch.
In 2010, Dr. Alexander joined the Division of Global HIV/AIDS (DGHA), International Laboratory Branch (ILB) as the Tuberculosis and Opportunistic Infections Unit Lead. In this capacity, she focused on improving access to and uptake of rapid and accurate TB/HIV laboratory diagnostic services in PEPFAR-supported countries through strategic planning; laboratory quality management systems strengthening; implementing and assessing the impact of new TB diagnostics; and improving linkages between diagnostic testing and TB and HIV treatment.
Dr. Alexander received a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from Emory University (Atlanta, USA) in 2004 and currently is completing a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology at the same institution. She has been an active member of the GLI Core Group since 2011.