Dr Barbara Van Der Pol

Dr. Van Der Pol is a Professor of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the Director of the UAB STD Diagnostics Laboratory. She has been active in the field of the biology, epidemiology and diagnostics of sexually transmitted infections (STI) for nearly 40 years. For two decades, Dr. Van Der Pol was involved with capacity building and technology transfer of molecular diagnostic methods in sub-Saharan Africa. She also worked closely with Ministries of Health in the Caribbean Region to create national policies designed to strengthen laboratory services. Her behavioral research focuses on delivery, utilization and implementation of new diagnostic technologies. She is currently working on projects designed to improve access to sexual health care for underserved and minority populations through the application of novel testing methods. Dr. Van Der Pol currently serves as the President of the International Society for STD Research.