Suzanna Francis
MPH MSc PhD
Honorary Associate Professor
Suzanna Francis is an epidemiologist who works on infectious disease control. Previously Associate Professor in Epidemiology at LSHTM (2008 to 2021) and now Honorary Associate Professor. Currently, Suzanna is the Senior Director of Epidemiology at IAVI. She is developing and leading a strategy for epidemiological studies that support of IAVI’s mission to develop and deliver globally accessible vaccines and antibodies.
Suzanna has over 20 years’ experience in the fields of HIV and sexual reproductive health. Additionally, she was the Director of the WHO Collaborating Center for Sexually Transmitted Infections (2019-2021), a strategic position to align academic research with global policy and program gaps.
Suzanna holds a PhD from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, an MPH from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, an MSc from UCSF and BA/BS from the University of Washington.
Affiliations
Centres
Teaching
While at LSHTM, Suzanna was a Module Organiser for the MSc in Epidemiology's distance learning modules "Practical Epidemiology" (EPM103). She also taught extensively on two in-house modules: “Control of STIs” and “Research Design & Analysis.” Previous to LSHTM, she was clinical faculty of the California STD/ HIV Prevention Training Center (National Network of STD/HIV Prevention Training Centers, USA), and taught the assessment and management of STIs, including diagnostic laboratory skills, to visiting clinicians, medical students, medical fellows and nurse practitioner students.
Research
Suzanna has directed high-impact medical research from inception to completion, including clinical trials, observational studies and systematic reviews. Her focus is on research that makes a real world impact in low- and middle-cinome settings. She has particular expertise in mixed methods research combining clinical, laboratory and qualitative methods, as well as adolescent and key populations at risk for HIV.