Per von Groote is the acting Program Manager of the International Epidemiological Database to Evaluate Aids, Southern Africa (IeDEA SA) research consortium and is based at the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern. He worked on numerous projects including research into social inequalities in functioning and disability, rehabilitation systems and services, HIV and mental health and international public health policy including work for the WHO and UN. Per von Groote holds a Magister Artium in Political Sciences and History, a Master of European Politics and Government and a PhD in Public Health with a focus on implementation research.