Prof. Samba O. SOW, M.D., MSc., FASTMH., Director General of the internationally recognized Center for Vaccine Development-Mali (CVD-Mali), Ministry of Health of Mali, holds faculty appointments as Professor at the University of Maryland, Division of Geographic Medicine. He has been Director of the CVD-Mali since its inception in 2001. His received his B.S. from the Lycee Askia Mohamed, Bamako, Mali, M.D. from the Ecole Nationale de Medecine et Pharmacie du Mali (ENMP), and his MSC., from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Dr. Sow is one of the most vocal advocates of immunization in the developing word. He has made substantial contributions in basic vaccinology, bacterial pathogenesis, clinical research, field epidemiology and public health policy in Mali and in Sub-Saharan Africa. Dr. Sow currently serves as an alternate board member of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI). He is an Honorary International Fellow of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (FASTMH).
Dr. Sow is the recipient of many honors. Among those of special significance for him, personally, are the 'Prix Laviron de Medecine Tropicale', The Commemorative Fund lecture of ASTMH, and being awarded the rank of 'Officer of the National Order of Mali' (presented by the President of Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, for efforts in controlling outbreak in Mali. Dr. Sow has authored and co-authored more than 90 scientific articles and chapters.