Zurab grew up in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia, where he worked for more than a decade to tackle the challenges of caring for HIV-positive individuals and preventing HIV.

“Avoiding stress, eating well, and taking medications are all behavior changes that require special interventions. There are the psychological aspects of HIV too. Medical knowledge alone was not providing a holistic view of treatment.”

Through the Open Society Institute, Zurab came to the Brown School to learn more about program management.

“In my country, we don’t learn these skills in medical school. Since the United States provides a lot of resources to help the HIV field worldwide, it made sense for me to come to Washington University and the Brown School to learn more about program management from a U.S. perspective.”

Zurab completed his foundation practicum at the St. Louis Effort for AIDS, which provides education on the prevention of HIV/AIDS, and comprehensive support for those affected by the disease.

“I relate everything to HIV. This is my passion.”