Samuel Pierre, MD, MS, G2
Research Mentor: John Koethe, M.D., M.S.C.I.
Thesis Topic: HIV, tuberculosis, and HIV-associated cardiometabolic disease
Biography
I am a physician-scientist and Ph.D. student in Epidemiology at Vanderbilt University, with a focus on HIV, tuberculosis, and HIV-associated cardiometabolic disease. I hold an M.D. from the State University of Haiti’s School of Medicine and Pharmacy and an M.S. in Clinical Epidemiology from Weill Cornell Medicine. As Principal Investigator of an NIH R21-funded study, I lead a multi-institutional collaboration with colleagues at Vanderbilt and Brigham and Women’s Hospital to investigate the metabolic consequences of modern antiretroviral therapy. I have spent over a decade conducting research at the GHESKIO Centers in Port-au-Prince, where I served as Clinical Research Site Coordinator. My leadership extends to global trials as Co-Vice Chair for major ACTG studies, including CLO-FAST. I’ve been honored with fellowships from the Fogarty-IeDEA Mentorship Program (FIMP) and the Vanderbilt Institute for Research Development & Ethics (VIRDE) and received the Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) award for scientific development.
Why Vanderbilt?
I chose Vanderbilt for its outstanding scientific environment, deep bench of methodological expertise, and strong infrastructure for clinical and translational research. The university’s integration with NIH-funded networks and its investment in implementation science provide an ideal platform to pursue complex questions in infectious disease epidemiology. I’ve benefited enormously from the mentorship of Dr. John Koethe, whose guidance has shaped my approach to scientific inquiry and supported the development of my independent research program. Vanderbilt offers not only the analytical tools and collaborative ecosystem needed for high-impact research, but also the intellectual leadership that drives innovation across disciplines.