Robert Bollinger Jr.

Professor
Director, Johns Hopkins Center for Clinical Global Health Education (CCGHE); Associate Director, Johns Hopkins Center for Global Health

Academic Degrees

BA: Haverford College 1979, MD: Dartmouth Medical School 1984. MPH: Johns Hopkins University 1988

School/Organization
School of Medicine

Department / Division
Medicine
Infectious Diseases

Joint Departmental Affiliations
International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Center and Institute Affiliations
Center for Clinical Global Health Education

Departmental Address

Email: rcb@jhmi.edu
Phone: 410-614-0936

For more information visit my personal web page.

Research and Professional Experience

• Robert C. Bollinger, MD, MPH, is a Professor of Infectious Diseases in the Department of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine with a joint appointment in the Department of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He has more than 30 years of experience in international public health, clinical research and education in a broad range of global health priorities including HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, leprosy and emerging infections. His initial experience in public health in India was in 1979 and included field work with a leprosy control project in rural Bihar. Over the past 15 years, he has initiated and conducted a large collaborative Indo-US HIV research program in Pune, India, with the National AIDS Research Institute/Indian Council for Medical Research and the BJ Medical College/Sassoon General Hospital. He also conducts collaborative projects in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He is the Principal Investigator for an NIH-sponsored HIV/AIDS Network Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) with its Clinical Research Site (CRS) located at the BJ Medical College (BJMC) in Pune, India. Current clinical studies there include a Phase II randomized, mother-and-child comparison trial to evaluate three antiretroviral strategies to reduce nevirapaine resistance in HIV-1 (ACTG 5207); and a Phase II parallel, randomized clinical trial comparing responses to initiation of NNRTI-based versus PI-based antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected infants who have and have not previously received single dose nevirapine (IMPAACT trial P1060).
• Dr. Bollinger is also the Country Director for the Hopkins Fogarty AIDS International Training and Research Programs in India and the DRC, which has provided short-term and degree public health training to more than 100 visiting scientists at Hopkins, as well as in-country training for more than 2000 scientists since 1992. Dr. Bollinger is Director of the Hopkins Center for Clinical Global Health Education (CCGHE) (www.ccghe.jhmi.edu) which develops and provides clinical education to health care providers in resource-limited settings around the world. Under Dr. Bollinger's leadership, the CCGHE is currently undertaking and establishing public health and clinical educational programs for physicians and nurses in India, Ethiopia, Zambia, Uganda and Panama. Dr. Bollinger is also Associate Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Global Health, which coordinates all international health education and research at Johns Hopkins University.
• Dr. Bollinger's research interests include characterization of the cellular immune response to recent HIV infection, identification of the biological and behavioral risk factors for HIV transmission, as well as the characterization of the clinical progression and treatment of HIV infection and related infections in resource-limited settings. He has been Principal Investigator for many collaborative NIH-sponsored research studies and clinical trials in Pune, India, including a Phase III randomized clinical trial to determine if anti-retroviral therapy can prevent HIV transmission among HIV-discordant sexual partners (HPTN 052 Trial), a Phase III randomized clinical trial comparing two different HAART regimens for treatment of HIV patients with low CD4 counts (ACTG 5175 Trial), a Phase III randomized clinical trial to compare two different regimens of infant nevirapine for prevention of breast-milk transmission of HIV (1R01-AI45462), and a Phase II clinical trial investigating the safety and acceptability vaginal microbicide 1% Tenofovir Gel (HPTN 059 Trial). He has published more than 100 research publications and 14 book chapters, including the first and largest studies of the risk factors for HIV transmission in India, the cloning and sequencing of the first HIV viruses from India, the only studies characterizing the primary immune response to HIV in India, and the demonstration of the increased risk of HIV acquisition associated with recent HSV infection and lack of circumcision.
• Dr. Bollinger is also an active clinician/educator who provides and supervises HIV and infectious diseases clinical care in the outpatient and in-patient settings at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. In addition to his teaching, research and clinical responsibilities, Dr. Bollinger has contributed to many public health training programs, expert committees and consultations in the US, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, India, Japan, Pakistan, Panama, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand and Uganda. For the past 4 years, he has been a member of the US Presidential Advisory Council for HIV/AIDS (PACHA), where he also serves as a member of the PACHA International Sub-committee. Dr. Bollinger received his undergraduate degree in Philosophy and Chemistry from Haverford College, his Doctor of Medicine from Dartmouth Medical School and his Masters in Public Health from the Department of International Health at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases from the American Board of Internal Medicine, having received internal medicine training at the University of Maryland Medical Systems and a Post-doctoral Fellowship in Infectious Diseases from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Dr. Bollinger has been on the faculty at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Public Health since 1992.

Research Projects
A5175: Once-Daily PI + Non-NRTI Regimens for Initial HIV Treatment
This study will compare three combinations of anti-HIV drugs to learn if two different once-daily combinations of anti-HIV drugs work as well as the standard twice-a-day combination of anti-HIV drugs for the initial treatment of individuals infected with HIV-1 who are from diverse areas of the...

Assessment of HIV-1 drug resistance outcomes in subtype C infected infants
Assessment of HIV-1 drug resistance outcomes in subtype C infected infants (Ethiopian and Indian) enrolled in an ongoing clinical trial of single dose nevirapine versus 6-weeks of nevirapine for the prevention of breast-milk and perinatal HIV-1 infection.

Byramee Jeejeebhoy Medical College (BJMC), Pune, India: Clinical Trials Unit
The Indo-US collaborative research group, at the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College (BJMC) in Pune, India, is currently conducting the only NIH-sponsored; Phase III randomized clinical trial for prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (MTCT) in India. The study will provide a Clinical...

Diagnosis of active tuberculosis in HIV infected and uninfected young children in India
Tuberculosis (TB) is the most common cause of morbidity/mortality in HIV-infected individuals in India, which has among the world''''''''s highest burden of HIV and TB. Since children acquire HIV/TB from their caregivers, active TB is highly prevalent (14-67.5%) among HIV-infected young children...

Evaluation of a pilot cluster-randomized mobile phone intervention used by peer educators in a rural antiretroviral care program in Rakai, Uganda (through the Rakai Health Sciences Program)
To evaluate the feasibility of mobile phone technology used by peer educators as a strategy to facilitate communication and improve HIV care in a rural, resource-limited setting.

HIV Prevention Trial Unit (HPTU)-Pune, India
This is a project site in Pune, India, as a clinical trials unit to join the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) with the following four specific aims: 1. To conduct multiple Phase I, II and m clinical trials of interventions designed to prevent HIV infection. 2. To identity and address social,...

HPTN 052: A Randomized Trial to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Antiretroviral Therapy Plus HIV Primary Care versus HIV Primary Care Alone to Prevent the Sexual Transmission of HIV-1 in Serodiscordant Couples
HPTN 052 is a Phase III, two-arm, multi-site, randomized trial to determine the effectiveness of two treatment strategies in preventing the sexual transmission of HIV in HIV-serodiscordant couples. As part of the National AIDS Research Institute's CTU, the primary objective of this study is to...

HPTN 059:Phase II Expanded Safety And Accessibility Study Of The Vaginal Microbicide 1% Tenofovir Gel
HPTN 059 is a multi-center phase II study is to determine the safety of tenofovir 1% gel as a vaginal microbicide over 24 weeks, and to gain additional information regarding product''s acceptability. This study will be a four arm, randomized controlled trial, comparing two frequencies of use ...

Impact of Malnutrition on HIV Treatment Failure in Resource-Limited Settings
Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has reduced morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected persons worldwide. However, early treatment failure (i.e. WHO stage 3 or 4 illnesses or death during the first 12 months of HAART) is >3-fold higher in resource limited settings (RLS) than in resource...

International Studies Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
HIV/AIDS is a global pandemic with nearly 40 million individuals living with HIV infection worldwide. The objectives of this project are to define the unique epidemiological, clinical, virologic, and immunologic features of HIV infection in developing countries, to determine the viral kinetics...

Partnership for Building the Capacity of Makerere University to Improve Health Outcomes in Uganda
The ultimate goal of this project is to improve health outcomes by building and sustaining capacity at MU to address current and evolving health priorities in Uganda and the East Africa Region through strategic partnerships with JHU and key national and international stakeholders. The faculties...

Prevention of Maternal -to- Infant HIV Transmission In India
This study is a randomized, 2-arm, open-labeled trial among HIV-infected mothers and their breast-fed infants designed to compare the safety and efficacy of standard maternal/infant single dose nevirapine (NVP) (Arm 1) to the single dose NVP regimen plus low-dose daily infant NVP for 6 weeks post...

Reducing Global Inequities in Burden of Disease
The Johns Hopkins University has a long history of engagement with global health issues and has one of the largest programs of its kind in the world. It is an intensely collaborative environment across disciplines, departments, and schools where faculty routinely engage in multidisciplinary...

Utilization of Decentralized HIV Clinical Services in Rural Maharashtra, India
India has the highest estimated number of HIV cases globally. Sixty percent of its HIV cases occur in rural residents, yet there is currently no system of HIV testing or care services for them. Dr. Gita Sinha''s research and career will address the question of how to optimally diagnose and treat...



Selected Publications

• Mwandagalirwa K, Jackson EF, McClamroch K, Bollinger RC, Ryder R, Weir S. Local differences in HIV prevalence: a comparison of social venue patrons, antenatal patients, and STI patients in Eastern Kinshasa. Sex Transm Dis 2009. (In Press)
• Sinha G, Peters DH, Bollinger RC. Strategies for gender-equitable HIV services in rural India. Health Policy Plan 2009;doi:10.1093/heapol/czp004.
• Moorthy A, Gupta A, Bhosale R, Tripathy S, Sastry J, Kulkarni S, Thakar M, Bharadwaj R, Kagal A, Bhore AV, Patil S, Kulkarni V, Varadharajan V, Balasubramaniam U, Suryavanshi N, Ziemniak C, Gupte N, Bollinger R, Persaud D. Nevirapine resistance and breast-milk HIV transmission: effects of single and extended-dose nevirapine prophylaxis in subtype C HIV-infected infants. PLoS One 2009;4(1):e4096.
• Gupta A, Anand S, Sastry J, Krisagar A, Basavaraj A, Bhat, SM, Gupte N, Bollinger RC, Kakrani AL. High risk for occupational exposure to HIV and utilization of post-exposure prophylaxis in a teaching hospital in Pune, India. BMC Infect Dis 2008; 8:142.
• Kulkarni SS, Thakar MR, Brahme RG, Tripathy SP, Mehendale SM, Quinn TM, Bollinger RC, Paranjape RS. Neutralizing antibody responses in recent seroconverters with HIV-1 subtype C infections in India. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2008; 24(9):1159-1166.
• Singh HK, Gupta A, Siberry GK, Gupte N, Sastry J, Kinikar A, Shah I, Gangakhedkar RR, Bollinger RC, Kulkarni V. The Indian pediatric HIV epidemic: a systematic review. Curr HIV Res 2008; 6:419-432.
• Ghate M, Deshpande S, Tripathy S, Nene M, Gedam P, Godbole S, Thakar M, Risbud A, Bollinger R, Mehendale S. Incidence of common opportunistic infections in HIV-infected individuals in Pune, India: analysis by stages of immunosuppression represented by CD4 counts. Int J Infect Dis 2008; Jul 2 Epub.
• Chang LW, Kagaayi J, Nakigozi G, Galiwango R, Mulamba J, Ludigo J, Ruwangula, *Gray RH, Quinn TC, Bollinger RC. Telecommunications and health care: an HIV/AIDS warmline for communication and consultation in Rakai, Uganda. J Int Assoc Physicians AIDS Care 2008; Sept 7(3):130-132 Epub.
• Suryavanshi N, Erande A, Pisal H, Shankar AV, Bhosale RA, Bollinger RC, Phadke MA, Sastry J. Repeated pregnancy in HIV positive Indian women with known HIV status. AIDS Care 2008; 20(9):1111-1118.
• Six Week Extended-Dose Nevirapine (SWEN) Study Team. Extended-dose nevirapine to 6 weeks of age for infants to prevent HIV transmission via breastfeeding in Ethiopia, India, and Uganda: an analysis of three randomized controlled trials. Lancet 2008; 372(9635):300-313.
• Chang LW, Kagaayi J, Gray RH, Bollinger RC, Reynolds SJ. Responding to the human resource crisis: peer health workers, mobile phones, and HIV care in Rakai, Uganda. AIDS Pt Care and STDs 2008; 22(3):173-174.
• Sinha G, Dyalchand A, Khale M, Kulkarni G, Vasudevan S, Bollinger RC. Low utilization of HIV testing during pregnancy: what are the barriers to HIV testing for women in rural India? J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2008; 47(2):248-252.
• Gupta A, Gupte N, Bhosale R, Kakrani A, Kulkarni V, Nayak U, Thakar M, Sastry J, Bollinger RC. Low sensitivity of total lymphocyte count as a surrogate marker to identify pre- and post-partum Indian women who require antiretroviral therapy. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2007; 46(3):338-342.
• Pisal H, Sutar S, Sastry J, Kapadia-Kundu N, Joshi A, Joshi M, Leslie J, Scotti L, Bharucha K, Suryavanshi N, Phadke M, Bollinger RC, Shankar AV. Nurse’s education training in India increases HIV knowledge and reduces fear. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care 2007; 18(6):32-43.
• Gupta A, Gupte N, Sastry J, Bharucha KE, Bhosale R, Kulkarni P, Tripathy S, Nayak U, Phadke M, Bollinger RC. Mother-to-child transmission of HIV among women who chose not to exclusively breastfeed their infants in Pune, India. Indian J Med Res 2007; 126:131-134.
• Sobhani R, Basavaraj A, Gupta A, Bhave AS, Kadam DB, Sangle SA, Prasad HB, Choi J, Josephs J, Gebo KA, Morde SN, Bollinger RC, Kakrani AL. Mortality and clinical characteristics of hospitalized adult patients with HIV in Pune, India. Indian J Med Res 2007; 126:112-117.
• Gupte N, Sastry J, Brookmeyer R, Phadke MA, Bhosale RA, Bollinger RC. Declining HIV infection rates among recently married, primigravida women in Pune, India. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2007; 570-573.
• Mehendale SM, Gupte N, Paranjape RS, Brahme RC, Kohli R, Joglekar N, Godbole SV, Joshi SN, Ghate MV Sayah S, Kishorekumar B, Gangakhedkar RR, Risbud AR, Brookmeyer RS, Bollinger RC. Declining HIV Incidence among patients attending sexually transmitted infection clinics in Pune, India. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2007; 45:564-569.
• Sinha G, Choi GJ, Nayak U, Gupta A, Nair S, Gupte N, Bulakh PM, Sastry J, Deshmukh SD, Khandekar MM, Kulkarni V, Bhosale RA, Bharucha KE, Phadke MA, Kshirsager AS, Bollinger RC. Clinically significant anemia in HIV-infected pregnant women in India is not a major barrier to zidovudine use for prevention of maternal-to-child transmission. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2007; 45:210-217.
• Gupta A, Nayak U, Ram M, Bhosale R, Patil S, Basavaraj A, Kakrani A, Philip S, Choi J, Sethi J, Sastry J, Bollinger RC. Post-partum TB incidence and mortality among HIV-infected women and their infants in Pune, India 2002-2005. Clin Infect Dis 2007; 45:241-249.

Last Updated: 6/11/2009 | Update Your Faculty Page