Dr. Paul Farmer, famous for his work battling illnesses in low-resource communities, will be speaking tonight in Kane 120 at 7 p.m.

Farmer is the author of the book Infections and Inequalities and the subject of the UW’s Common Book selection, Mountains Beyond Mountains.

Farmer has both a M.D. and a doctoral degree in medical anthropology from Harvard University. Since his days as a medical student, he has traveled to Haiti and other parts of the world to battle AIDS and tuberculosis. He also has advocated for policy changes and written several books to educate others about the systemic reasons for poor health outcomes.

Ashok Reddy, a UW medical student who worked with Farmer in Partners in Health (PIH), described him as “admirable.” PIH is an organization that was founded by Farmer to provide health services and support for the poor. Reddy had the opportunity to work with Farmer on an urban HIV project in Boston.

“I found Farmer had the ability to relate to everyone,” he said.

Farmer has come to campus before as part of the International Health Opportunities Program (IHOP) lecture series, giving a talk titled “Structural violence, barriers to care.”

Daren Wade, director of the UW’s Global Health Resource Center, said Farmer is “really concerned with eco-social justice.”

“Through his call to action … we will reclaim the world from epidemics,” said Stephanie Punt, a pre-health student.

Before and after the lecture, a community engagement fair will take place in the Kane foyer. More than 30 community organizations, focused on improving the health of communities around the world, will be participating.

For those who weren’t able to reserve seating at the Kane Hall engagement, the lecture will also be broadcasted live in Hogness Auditorium in the Health Sciences Building.

“Reading about Farmer’s work has inspired me to pursue a life throughout which I can make a difference in others’ lives,” Punt said. “When Farmer comes to campus, I hope to learn more about what inspired [him] to pursue such a life.”

Reporter Chris Paredes: news@thedaily.washington.edu