Dr. Donald Morisky served as vice-chair in the Department of Community Health Sciences from 1994 to 2003 and chair from 2004-2005. His research is directed to both chronic and infectious diseases, specifically the risk factors for cardiovascular disease (high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and elevated cholesterol), tuberculosis control and HIV/AIDS prevention.
He has conducted research in the Philippines for over 30 years, currently analyzing results of a 10-year NIAID-funded program “Behavioral Research in Support of AIDS Prevention in the Philippines”. He is currently a co-investigator on a NIA research grant addressing medication-taking behavior among the elderly in collaboration with the Oschner Clinic at Tulane University. He directs the doctoral training program in the Social and Behavioral Determinants of HIV/AIDS at UCLA.