Karen Megazzini

Overview

Karen Megazzini is a Principal Research Associate, epidemiologist, and physician assistant with 20+ years of combined experience in public health and clinical trials research, project management, and clinical care involving pediatric and adult populations. She provides project leadership and epidemiologic support to many domestic and international studies and oversees several phase I through III clinical studies for which Westat provides external independent statistical support to data monitoring committees.

Megazzini is currently the project director for the Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (PHIA) project, which supports development of population-based surveys in several African countries. She is also leading the final analysis of an NIH-funded study looking at the neurodevelopmental effects of in utero Zika virus exposure among children and is leading development of a Community Engagement and Recruitment Outcomes Database which will be used to track community engagement and outreach efforts conducted by sites participating in NIAID’s Adolescent Trials Network (ATN).

Earlier in her career at Westat, Megazzini was based in Abuja, Nigeria, where she served as chief technical officer for an HIV prevention, care, and treatment program funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (also known as PEPFAR). She oversaw program implementation at approximately 20 clinical sites and provided technical leadership in HIV counseling and testing, prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, care and treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS, services for orphaned and vulnerable children, and monitoring and evaluation.

Education

• DrPH, International Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Master of International Health, Copenhagen University, Denmark
• Master of Medical Science, Physician Assistant Program, Emory University
• BS, Biology, Framingham State