Researcher Spotlight: David Holland

What is your professional background? 
I began my career post-residency as the tuberculosis (TB) physician for the (then) Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness. While there, I got involved in clinical trials of TB therapeutics and then decided to pursue a career in academic medicine. After finishing my Infectious Disease fellowship at Duke University, I stayed on as faculty for five years under a K-01 grant to study the application of decision analysis to clinical trial design. I was then recruited back to Emory, where I have a position as chief clinical officer for the Fulton County Board of Health, overseeing the TB, Sexual Health, and HIV programs (and more recently, the COVID-19 response).

In what division do you work, and who is your mentor? 
I am an associate professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases, with an adjunct appointment in the School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology. My mentor is Dr. Susan Ray.

Briefly describe your research. Why is it important? 
My past research has focused on the application decision analysis to clinical trial design. In public health, there is frequently a wide array of potential studies that could be done, so in an era of very limited funding it is necessary to reduce this pool to a manageable number; decision analysis can help determine which trials are the most likely to be successful and/or to produce the most cost-effective treatments. Now, my research focuses primarily on implementation science in the public health arena. With the promise of new funding for HIV prevention, is it essential to find the most effective and cost-effective interventions to achieve HIV elimination by the fastest route.

What do you like most about Emory? 
Emory provides a collegial and cooperative atmosphere, where faculty from many disciplines work together to solve each other’s problems. I have worked with faculty not just in other divisions and departments, but other schools across the university.

What is your favorite movie or TV show?
Changes from time to time, but right now it’s ‘Dead to Me.’

What do you like to do in your spare time?
My favorite thing is picking up heavy weights and putting them back down.

What is a fun fact about you?
I am a competitive powerlifter.