Dharam V. Ablashi is an American biomedical researcher born in Lahore. He is best known for his co-discovery of Human herpesvirus 6, an immunosuppressive and neurotropic virus that can cause encephalitis and seizures during a primary infection or when reactivated from latency in immunosuppressed patients.
A renowned virologist and humanitarian who has influenced the lives of thousands of people within the field of immunovirology research and beyond, Ablashi will receive an honorary degree of doctor of science. He is internationally known for his research on human and simian herpes viruses and the connection between viruses and cancer. He received his master of science degree at URI in pathology and virology. As a graduate student, he was a co-investigator on a research grant from the National Institutes of Health. In 1963, while studying at URI, he helped found the International House in Providence, whose mission is to promote friendship, connection, learning and global understanding, and he remains actively committed to that organization. Dharam V. Ablashi is an American biomedical researcher. He has co-authored 96 articles on HHV-6 and over 300 scientific articles on herpesviruses and HIV. His major interests are assessing pathogenic roles of viruses in diseases and in developing diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic reagents to combat malignant and non-malignant infections. He has a BSc (Biology) and a D.M.V degree from Panjab University India, a Diploma in Bacteriology from I.V.R.I, an MS in Virology/Pathology from the University of Rhode Island, and a D.Sc.(Hon). He joined NIH/NCI in 1969 working on human and simian herpesviruses. In 1986, he co-discovered human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6), a highly neurotropic and immune suppressive virus causing neurological disorders. He retired from NIH after 23 years while still serving as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University School of Medicine (1986-2008) and directed herpesvirus programs at a biomedical technology company (1994-2002). He has been the Scientific Director of the HHV-6 Foundation since 2004. He has a BSc (Biology) and a D.M.V degree from Panjab University India, a Diploma in Bacteriology from I.V.R.I, an MS in Virology/Pathology from the University of Rhode Island, and a D.Sc.(Hon). He joined NIH/NCI in 1969 working on human and simian herpesviruses.