Director of CGH Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria (DPDM):
Mark Eberhard, PhD

Mark L. Eberhard, PhD, has served since 2003 as Director of the Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria (DPDM), CDC Center for Global Health (CGH). The division conducts laboratory and epidemiologic studies of the major human and zoonotic parasitic diseases, and when possible strives to eliminate and eradicate parasitic infections, including the neglected tropical diseases Guinea worm, onchocerciasis, and lymphatic filariasis.

Dr. Eberhard was Chief of the Biology and Diagnostic Branch of the Division between 1994 and 2003. During this time, he led extensive work investigating Cyclospora, which was recognized as an emerging infection when imported berries and produce contaminated with the parasite caused illness in the United States. His background also includes the study of lymphatic filariasis in Haiti for many years, including familial clustering of the disease and examining the role of ivermectin and diethylcarbamazine to control and interrupt its transmission. This work has informed the development of new plans to address neglected tropical diseases through the U.S. Administration’s Global Health Initiative.

Before joining CDC in 1986, Dr. Eberhard was a research scientist at Tulane University’s Delta Regional Primate Research Center. He received his B.A. and M.S. degrees from Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, and his Ph.D. from Tulane University, New Orleans, LA. He has served on a variety of CDC, national, and international working groups, committees, and consultations, and has received the US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary’s Award for Distinguished Service twice for his contributions to the Guinea Worm Eradication Team and Cyclospora Response Team.