Mark Barone

Senior Advisor, Women’s Health Innovations at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Dr. Mark Barone leads the foundation’s work to discover and develop new contraceptive methods as well as expand the availability of new and existing contraceptives in low- and middle-income countries.

Mark has nearly 30 years of experience in biomedical, clinical, epidemiological, and implementation science research, as well as in strategic and technical leadership and management of public health programs in resource-poor settings. He has wide-ranging experience in researching and introducing new technologies and approaches for health, having worked with government agencies, the private sector, universities, and nonprofits in more than 25 countries around the world to increase access to family planning and other reproductive health services.

Before joining the foundation in 2021, Mark was a senior scientist at the Population Council’s Center for Biomedical Research, where he conducted research on male circumcision, supported family planning and HIV programs, and worked to raise funds for the center’s work.

Earlier, he spent several decades at EngenderHealth, working on research, technology introduction, and management of health programs related to contraception, HIV, female genital fistula, and cervical cancer prevention. Mark holds a doctor of veterinary medicine degree and a master of science degree in reproductive physiology from Colorado State University.