Dr. Eugene Ateh works at the Animal Model Division of the Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine where he is the Research Lead Specialist. He coordinates with other researchers in developing animal models for HIV/AIDS, HIV associated malignancies, HIV vaccine development in macaques, cancer and other neurological pathologies.

As a veterinarian, he was blessed to start his professional career with a non-governmental organization in Cameroon that uses livestock mainly rabbits, dairy, poultry, sheep and goats to improve the nutrition of resource limited families and promote the concept of democracy and environmental protection.

Working in difficult weather and geographical conditions especially around Mount Cameroon and its environs taught him firsthand the important challenges a field veterinarian faces in everyday practices. The greatest challenge he faced was the sad opportunity of looking straight into the eyes of farmers who faced the double whammy of hunger and HIV/AIDS. This wasn’t a Cameroon issue as he saw firsthand similar faces in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Kenya and Uganda.

He then migrated to the USA where he joined the HIV dream team lead by the visionary HIV co-discoverer Dr. Robert Gallo. The fight against HIV/AIDS can be fought at different and multiple fronts. As a scientist he works with seasoned professionals and as a humanitarian he identifies with humanitarian efforts all geared towards the eventual elimination of HIV/AIDS. The Vincent Kewala Nyambi Foundation is one of such private initiative ventures that he identifies as a necessity that has and continues to be a key player in this worthy fight.