James W. Curran is a member of the Center’s External Advisory Board. He is a professor of Epidemiology and Global Health and Dean Emeritus of the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. He also holds faculty appointments in the Emory School of Medicine and the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health. His global work focuses on HIV research and prevention. His research identified the infectious nature of HIV/AIDS, and he led efforts in the United States in the battle against HIV/AIDS and the stigmatization of people infected with HIV/AIDs.  

Curran previously served as co-director of the Emory Center for AIDS Research. Before joining Emory University, Curran served in leadership at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, attaining the position of assistant surgeon general and previously leading the task force on HIV/AIDS and the HIV/AIDS Division. Curran received his MD from the University of Michigan.