Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa

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.

Ablashi served as a senior research virologist at the National Cancer Institute’s Tumor Virus Laboratory for 23 years, and as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University School of Medicine. He co-discovered a human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) with Dr. Robert Gallo in 1986 and advised NASA on the risk of viral infection to astronauts traveling to space with primates and developed medical research tools for Advanced Biotechnologies Inc. Ablashi is the scientific director of the HHV-6 Foundation, which he co-founded. Born in India, Ablashi holds a doctorate in veterinary medicine at Panjab University Veterinary College, received a diploma in bacteriology from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute.