Committee Members

Dr. Jacson Ferreira is a Brazilian phytopathologist whose academic career has been marked by a strong dedication to the study of plant diseases. His work combines scientific research, methodological innovation, and continuous contributions to the advancement of plant pathology in the country.

He holds a degree in Agronomic Engineering and began his scientific career during his undergraduate studies, taking part in research projects focused on the diagnosis of emerging pathogens and disease epidemiology. His interest in these topics led him to pursue graduate studies, completing both his master’s and doctoral degrees in Plant Pathology at the University of São Paulo, where he specialized in molecular biology, particularly in pathogen detection and classification techniques.

During his graduate studies, Dr. Ferreira made significant contributions to understanding the diversity and distribution of phytoplasmas and viruses in Brazilian agroecosystems, particularly within the maize stunt complex. His work generated unprecedented data on the occurrence and distribution of these pathogens in Brazil, expanding scientific knowledge about their epidemiology. His research involved molecular characterization of strains, genetic variability analyses, and the development of hypotheses regarding dissemination routes and potential associated vectors.

Throughout his career, he has published articles in specialized scientific journals, collaborated with multidisciplinary teams, and participated in scientific conferences in the field of Plant Pathology. Dr. Jacson Ferreira continues to expand his investigations of complex pathosystems, seeking sustainable solutions and management strategies that contribute to plant health and to the productive security of crops of economic and environmental importance.

Michael Bukrinsky, MD, PhD, received his MD from the Second Moscow Medical School and his PhD from the Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology in Moscow, USSR. He completed his postdoctoral training at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He is currently a Professor of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine and serves as Director of the Developmental Core of the DC Center for AIDS Research. Dr. Bukrinsky’s research focuses on HIV pathogenesis, inflammation, and viral protein–mediated immune dysregulation. He has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and serves as Editor-in-Chief of The Open AIDS Journal and as a Section Editor for Vaccines.

Professor Osterhaus has been Head of the Department of Viroscience at Erasmus MC Rotterdam until 2014, is Founding Director of the Center of Infection Medicine and Zoonosis Research at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover since, and Guest-Professor at the Leibniz Institute of Virology in Hamburg. He has a long track record as a scientific researcher and Principal Investigator of numerous major scientific projects. His research programme follows an integrated “viroscience” concept, bringing together world-leading scientists in molecular virology, immunology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, and intervention studies on human and animal virus infections. Among the major accomplishments are the discovery of more than 80 new viruses of humans and animals (e.g. human metapneumovirus, SARS and MERS coronaviruses and influenza viruses), elucidation of the pathogenesis of major human and animal virus infections, and development of novel intervention strategies. This has enabled health authorities like the WHO to effectively combat disease outbreaks like SARS and avian influenza. The spin-offs, Viroclinics-DDL, Vironovative and CR2O, together employing more than 500 people today, allow effective testing and refining of diagnostic tools and other intervention strategies and illustrate additional societally relevant successes. The international recognition of Professor Osterhaus is further highlighted by major prizes, guest lecture invitations, (co-)organiserships of international meetings and editorships of scientific journals. Professor Osterhaus has acted as mentor for more than 90 PhD students and holds several key patents. He is the author of more than 1360 papers in peer-reviewed journals, together cited more than 90,000 times, with an H index 142. He is inventor on many patents and has been Chair of the European Working Group on Influenza (ESWI) and of the Global One Health Platform/Community for the past decades. He organised numerous international scientific conferences on respiratory viruses and other emerging infections, and received numerous prestigious awards. He holds several senior editorships and is Chief Editor of One Health Outlook (Springer Nature). He is member of the Dutch and German Academies of Sciences, member of the Belgium Academia of Medicine, and Commander of the Order of the Dutch Lion.

Nanobodies, the smallest naturally occurring antigen-binding domains, offer high stability, engineering versatility, and unique epitope accessibility, making them a promising platform for next-generation antiviral therapeutics. We report the discovery, structural elucidation, and in vivo evaluation of potent nanobodies targeting two high-priority viral pathogens: human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV). For HIV-1, we identified a highly neutralizing nanobody against the host receptor CD4 that inhibits viral entry by inducing a conformational rearrangement that prevents gp120 engagement. Engineering this molecule into a trimeric format substantially enhanced potency and breadth, achieving complete inhibition across diverse HIV-1 isolates and surpassing the clinically approved entry inhibitor Ibalizumab. In humanized mouse models, the trimeric CD4 nanobody demonstrated significant therapeutic efficacy, supporting its potential for long-acting HIV prevention and treatment.To address the urgent need for SFTSV countermeasures, we employed a heterologous immunization strategy to generate broadly neutralizing camelid nanobodies that target non-overlapping epitopes on the viral glycoprotein complex. Leveraging this epitope diversity, we designed a synergistic nanobody cocktail that achieved cross-subtype neutralization and complete viral inhibition. In humanized, lethal murine, and immunocompetent ferret models, the cocktail provided full protection and facilitated rapid viral clearance. Structural analyses defined the mechanisms underlying breadth and synergy and establish principles for nanobody-based interventions against genetically diverse bunyaviruses.These findings highlight antiviral nanobodies as a versatile therapeutic modality and advance promising candidates toward translational development for HIV-1 and SFTSV

Nino Ccallalli-Ruíz is a senior medical student (pre-intern) at the Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego. He serves as Director of the Permanent Academic Committee of the Scientific Society of Medical Students at UPAO Piura. He has three publications in the fields of Infectious Diseases, Neurology, and Cardiology. His main interest focuses on Neuroinfectiology and its impact on public health, seeking to understand how emerging infections affect the nervous system and create challenges for healthcare systems. He represents a new generation of researchers committed to integrating evidence, innovation, and service to advance health from an academic and humanistic perspective.

Abdullahi Jamiu is a highly skilled microbiologist and infectious disease researcher. His current research is focused on the development of novel inhibitors targeting encephalitic viruses, particularly the Venezuelan equine encephalitic virus. With an MSc from the University of the Free State, South Africa, and a BSc from Al-Hikmah University, Nigeria, Abdullahi has extensive experience in molecular biology, infection control, and cell biology. He has a proven track record of presenting at conferences and publishing in reputable journals. Abdullahi’s dedication to advancing knowledge in infectious diseases is evident through his membership in several professional societies and his unwavering commitment to academic excellence. His ultimate goal is to continue conducting innovative research to address human health challenges by enhancing our understanding of microbial pathogenesis and developing effective therapeutics. In the future, Abdullahi aims to secure a faculty position or pursue opportunities in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Professor Wojciech Golusiński is a renowned otorhinolaryngologist and global authority in
head and neck cancer treatment. He gained experience in leading centers in London, Bergen,
New York, and Poznan. As a former president of the European Head and Neck Society, he
contributed significantly to the Make Sense campaign. He initiated and leads Poland’s
National Head and Neck Cancer Prevention Program. Appointed as an expert by the Ministry
of Health in 2016, he also founded the Polish Head and Neck Cancer Society. He is the author
of numerous publications and has supervised over 15 PhDs and two habilitations.

Professor Jiangang Shen, M.D., Ph.D. is a Professor at the School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong. He also serves as Associate Director (Education & Knowledge Exchange) at the Centre of Integrative Medicine and Chair of the Departmental Research & Postgraduate Committee. He holds an M.D. in Chinese Medicine from Hunan University of Chinese Medicine and a Ph.D. in Biophysics from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. His research focuses on neuroprotection, redox signaling, blood–brain barrier integrity, and integrative therapies for neurological disorders. Professor Shen has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and is internationally recognized for his contributions to integrative and neurological medicine.

Dr. Hassan is a distinguished scientist internationally recognized for his pioneering work in the field of infectious diseases, particularly in the development of novel antiviral therapeutics targeting human herpesvirus infections. His scientific endeavors are complemented by a deep commitment to advancing medical knowledge and improving public health outcomes.

Beyond his laboratory achievements, Dr. Hassan plays an active role in the global scientific community. He serves on the editorial boards of several high-impact international journals indexed in Web of Science (Clarivate) and Scopus, reflecting his reputation as a trusted authority in virology, antiviral pharmacology, molecular medicine, microbiology, and immunology. He is also an active member of various international scientific societies related to virology and pharmacology, further demonstrating his engagement with the broader biomedical research community. A comprehensive overview of his scholarly contributions can be found on his ORCID profile (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3922-2738).

Dr. Hassan’s expertise has earned him invitations to serve as an organizing committee member and keynote speaker at numerous national and international conferences and symposia. His contributions have taken him to a wide array of countries—including the Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Belgium, England, Spain, Canada, Brazil, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia—where he has shared his innovative research, fostered interdisciplinary collaboration, and inspired scientific dialogue aimed at addressing some of the most pressing challenges in infectious disease research and antiviral therapy.

In recognition of his outstanding scientific achievements and international impact, Dr. Hassan has received several prestigious international scientific awards, further underscoring his leadership and innovation in the field..

Prof Zilungile Mkhize-Kwitshana is a C2 NRF-rated medical scientist with a PhD in Immunology. She is currently an Honorary Associate Professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Sciences and Immunologist at UNISA, and Senior Research Associate at the University of Johannesburg. With over 14 years in public health service and extensive academic experience, she has published more than 100 scientific papers and led numerous research projects on immunology, co-infections, and neglected tropical diseases. She holds national leadership roles, including appointments to the National Health Research Ethics Council and the National Health Research Committee. Prof Mkhize-Kwitshana is widely recognized for her contributions to research, capacity development, and health science leadership.University of KwaZulu-Natal-Natal

Dr. Jean Paul Milambo, MD, MSc, PhD, is a Clinical Epidemiologist and Infectious Disease Specialist affiliated with Walter Sisulu University and Chretienne University of Kinshasa. His expertise spans gyne-oncology, cancer genomic surveillance, HIV/TB, malaria, sickle cell anemia, and rare disease genomics. He has led clinical trials and genomic research in Africa, with over 25 publications in high-impact journals. A specialist in biostatistics and precision public health, Dr. Milambo advises global health agencies, including the WHO and CDC. He is also an educator and postgraduate lecturer advancing cancer diagnostics, infectious disease modeling, and translational genomics across Africa.

Dr. Maria Gabriella Donà is a senior researcher at the STI/HIV Unit of the San Gallicano Dermatological Institute (IRCCS) in Rome, Italy. She holds a degree in Biological Sciences and a PhD from the University of Roma Tre. Her research focuses on the molecular epidemiology of HPV and its role in anal, oropharyngeal, and skin cancers. She has conducted postdoctoral work in the USA and is involved in studies on HPV biomarkers and infection in at-risk populations. Dr. Donà has published extensively and presents regularly at scientific conferences.

Patrick Eldin received his PhD from the University of Montpellier (France) in 1992. He worked as a Postdoctoral fellow at Sanofi-Diagnostic Pasteur (Chaska, MN, USA) and the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN, USA) (1995–1997). In 1997, he moved back to the University of Montpellier and was promoted to CR1 CNRS in 1999 working on Malaria. He is currently a CRHC CNRS at IRIM, where his research topics mainly include host/pathogen relationships, RNA viruses, and epitranscriptomics.

Giovanni Palomino-Vizcaíno is affiliated with the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), where he contributes to academic and research initiatives. His professional interests include [insert your fields of expertise or research here], and he is committed to advancing knowledge through collaboration and innovation.

Silva Breno is an academic and researcher affiliated with the Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP) in Brazil. With a focus on [insert your field of study or expertise—e.g., engineering, computer science, environmental science], his work centers on [briefly describe your main interests or contributions]. Breno is committed to advancing knowledge through research, education, and collaboration within the academic community.

Professor Vladimir G. Chigrinov is Professor of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology since 1999. He is an Expert in Flat Panel Technology in Russia, recognized by the World Technology Evaluation Centre, 1994, and SID Fellow since 2008. He is an author of 6 books, 31 reviews and book chapters, about 335 journal papers, more than 757 Conference presentations, and 121 patents and patent applications including 50 US patents in the field of liquid crystals since 1974. He got Excellent Research Award of HKUST School of Engineering in 2012. He obtained Gold Medal and The Best Award in the Invention & Innovation Awards 2014 held at the, which was hosted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 20-22 Feb 2014. He is a Member of EU Academy of Sciences (EUAS) since July 2017. He got A Slottow Owaki Prize of SID in 2018 https://ece.hkust.edu.hk/news/prof-vladimir-chigrinov-wins-2018-slottow-owaki-prize

Since 2018 until 2020 he works as Professor in the School of Physics and Optoelectronics Engineering in Foshan University, Foshan, China. 2020-2024 Vice President of Fellow of Institute of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (IDSAI) Since 2021 distinguished Fellow of Institute of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.

Nicola Serra is an Adjunct Professor of Biostatistics at the School of
Medicine and Surgery of the University Federico II of Naples, where he
teaches and mentor students in the field of biostatistics. In addition
to his academic role, he is a Biostatistician at the Consulate Sergi
Laboratory (Clin Sci B105) at the University of Alberta. With a keen
interest in biostatistics and bioinformatics, Nicola specializes in
developing statistical and mathematical models, analyzing big data, and
applying artificial neural networks to address complex biomedical
challenges. His work bridges the gap between statistical theory and
practical application in health research, fostering advancements in
data-driven decision-making.

Dr. Lino is a native from Italy and holds a medical degree, a specialization in Neurology and a PhD in Neuroscience. She has strong experience in clinical neurology and medical applied research. Maddalena counts more than 10 years of Pharmacovigilance within big and medium size pharmaceutical companies working on vaccines.

Maddalena has been an invited speaker in numerous international and national symposium and counts several publications in peer reviewed journals.

She has been involved in vaccine safety since 15 years (including influenza seasonal/pandemic, COVID-19 and RSV vaccine).