Mike Saag, M.D.

Dr. Saag is a physician and prominent HIV/AIDS researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He is currently a Professor of Medicine at UAB School of Medicine and Director of the UAB Center for AIDS Research. He is also an attending physician in the Department of Medicine, UAB School of Medicine and Secondary Appointment to Epidemiology, UAB School of Public Health.

Listed by many prominent publications as one of the best doctors in America since 1994, and a recipient of numerous accolades including Castle-Connelly Physician of the Year, Dr. Saag has over 40 years of research experience, and recently served as a member of the COVID-19 Task Force for Congress by the Federation of American Scientists. Dr. Saag is currently on the Board of Directors for the International AIDS society and is a member of the President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA).

He has published over 500 articles in peer reviewed journals, including the first description of the use of viral load in clinical practice (Science, 1993), the first description of the rapid dynamics of viral replication (Nature, 1995), the first guidelines for use of viral load in practice (Nature Medicine, 1996), the first proof of concept of fusion inhibition as a therapeutic option (Nature Medicine, 1998), and directed the ‘first-in- patient’ studies of 7 of the 25 antiretroviral drugs currently on the market (including indinavir, efavirenz, abacavir, and enfuvirtide).

Dr. Saag earned his medical degree from University of Louisville.