David Ho, a recognized leader at the forefront of the field, Ho has spent nearly his entire professional career devoted to the disease. His breakthrough research in the mid-1990s directly led to a series of groundbreaking treatments. Ho's discoveries have earned him numerous accolades, including Time magazine's Man of the Year in 1996 and a Presidential Citizens Medal in 2001.
Born in Taiwan, Ho moved with his family to the United States in 1965 when he was 12; Today, Ho is CEO of the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center in New York. His research is aimed at measures to prevent infection. He is also an outspoken advocate for extending treatments to third-world nations, particularly those in Africa, the worst affected by AIDS.
“We've made some great progress in the last decade,”said Ho. “But with infection rates still so high, we can't just treat our way out of this disease; we must continue to focus on slowing its spread. There is still so much to do.”