Professor Halabi is an educator and researcher within the Department of Health Management and Policy in the School of Health at Georgetown and is also the director of the Center of Transformational Health Law at the Georgetown University Law Center. He received his bachelor’s degree in Physical Sciences from Kansas State University and then went on to earn an MPhil in International Relations from the University of Oxford, along with a JD from Harvard University. His research mainly focuses on international negotiations to facilitate access to medicines, specifically vaccines.
Involvement in Research
Professor Halabi’s research offers the policy and legal aspects to various health and science-based questions. He works with organizations, such as UNICEF, WHO, and GAVI (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations), on the subjects of the distribution of vaccines to populations in need. He also works with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations to target diseases that impact countries lacking a commercial market for vaccines, such as their equitable access mission for malaria vaccines. Another project involves looking at artificial intelligence applications for planned pandemic preparedness, using mathematical models to determine areas that are outbreak prone, such as those with underdeveloped healthcare systems.
Inspiration
After completing his MPhil, he saw that many flourishing organizations were committed to the human right to health, and he saw the rise of GAVI, the Global Fund, and various other initiatives resulting from the HIV/AIDS burden in sub-saharan Africa. Having just studied international relations, his understanding of international partnerships and governments allowed him to realize that “health was going to be a really significant priority and focus…and [he] wanted to be part of it.”
Reflection
Dr. Halabi is happy with his progress in research and his position as an NIH-funded lawyer. Having published in high impact journals, he believes his research has a lasting influence.
Advice for Students
Professor Halabi recommends that students develop a relationship with a researcher whose profile and activity interests them. He encourages students to schedule a time to meet with such faculty, specifically professors whose classes a student may be taking or planning to take.