Our Team

Myron Cohen, MD – Director

close-up of myron cohen on right with poster in the background reading "the aids crisis is not over"

In addition to serving as IGHID director, Myron Cohen is the J. Herbert Bate Distinguished Professor of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology and Public Health at UNC.  In 2007 he was appointed Associate Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs.  Dr. Cohen has served as the Director of the UNC Division of Infectious Diseases since 1988 and is associate director of the UNC Center for AIDS Research.  Dr. Cohen’s research focuses on the transmission and prevention of HIV, with emphasis on the role played by STD co-infections.  Dr. Cohen is the architect and principal investigator of the multinational HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 052 study, which demonstrated that antiretroviral treatment prevents the sexual transmission of HIV-1. This work was recognized by Science Magazine as the “Breakthrough of the Year” in 2011.

Margaret (Peggy) Bentley, PhD- Associate Director

head shot of margaret bentley

Peggy Bentley is associate dean for global health in the Gillings School of Global Public Health and associate director of IGHID.  She serves on advisory boards for a number of University groups, as well as for IntraHealth International. She represents UNC on the Global Health Committee of the Association of Schools of Public Health.  Professor Bentley’s research focuses on women and infant’s nutrition, infant and young child feeding, behavioral research on sexually transmitted diseases, HIV, and community-based interventions for nutrition and health. She is an expert in both qualitative and quantitative research methods and the application of these for program development and evaluation.

Mamie Sackey Harris, MS, MPH – Africa Programs Director

mamie harris head shot, pink blouse on red backgroundMamie Sackey Harris, a native of Ghana, coordinates Africa programs for IGHID.  She also instrumental in building collaborations between health affairs and the College of Arts & Sciences. With Professor Bentley, she co-teaches the only university-wide course in global health at UNC, which attracts nearly 150 students each fall.  Prior to joining IGHID, Mamie worked as a program manager with Action Against Hunger, a non governmental organization in Southern Sudan, and as a consultant for the World Food Program, focusing on sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean.

Lisa Chensvold, MA – Communications Director

Lisa Chensvold is in charge of PR and communications for the institute. She oversees globalhealth.unc.edu, edits the IGHID newsletter and blog, and manages social media.  She grew up as a brainy musician with a passion for words, and holds master’s degree in musicology from UNC.  Before taking on communications for the institute, she served as special assistant to Dr. Cohen.  Before that, she was a copy editor for Oxford University press and has worked as a freelance editor and writer, where she has written about everything from 17th century opera to fashion to design and technology.

Katie McKenna – Strategic Development Director

Katie McKenna, directs fundraising efforts for the institute. She comes to us with extensive global fundraising experience, having started her career working for UNICEF, where she helped develop their first HIV-focused fundraising and education campaign. She worked for the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative to develop a science advocacy and communications plan, raised funds for Oxfam’s women’s programs, and most recently worked with UNC’s OB/GYN department.