IRIDS Virtual Science Talks

Prof. Thomas Vanwolleghem is a Professor of Hepatology at the University of Antwerp, where he leads the Viral Hepatitis Research Group.  His main research focus is on virus-host interactions and the improvement of clinical outcomes in viral hepatitis infections. He coordinates a national nucleoside analogue withdrawal study in chronic HBV and a natural history study in hepatitis B/delta coinfections. He also collaborates on the prevention of HBV mother-to-child transmission in Uganda. Apart from viral hepatitis, his clinical research interests focus on the diagnosis and treatment of portal hypertension, as co-PI of the Antwerp Hepatic Hemodynamic laboratory. He is a senior clinical researcher for the Research Fund of the Flemish government and a principal investigator for clinical studies on viral hepatitis, auto-immune hepatitis, and portal hypertension.

Dr. Lens is a Hepatologist in the Liver Unit at the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona in Spain. Her scientific scope primarily includes clinical and translational research on viral hepatitis, with a particular focus on the virological and host factors involved in the natural history of HCV and HBV infection. She also conducts research on the impact of HCV all-oral antiviral treatment, specifically in special populations like patients with clinically significant portal hypertension or cryoglobulinemic vasculitis. Her work further explores the interplay between the host immune response and the HBV virus. Dr. Lens is a principal investigator or sub-investigator in clinical trials for both HCV and HBV infection and serves as a principal investigator in international and national funded projects. Dr. Lens is one of the co-authors of the new EASL HBV guidelines 2025. (link)

Rachel Halford is the President of The World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA), an international network of civil society and community organizations focused on advocacy, capacity building, and awareness-raising on hepatitis. She is also the CEO of The Hepatitis C Trust, a national UK peer-led civil society organization. Her work centers on advocacy, raising awareness, and bringing together all stakeholders to accelerate action towards the elimination of viral hepatitis. She supports high-risk populations, including the homeless, those affected by the criminal justice system, substance users, and migrants.

Prof. Ferrand is a world-leading authority on HIV in adolescents - a field that she pioneered showing that perinatally-acquired HIV (mother-to-child transmission) to be a major cause of adolescent morbidity and mortality in Southern Africa. She leads a thriving multidisciplinary interventional research unit in Zimbabwe and was the first to demonstrate long-term survival with HIV even without early diagnosis and treatment, leading her to develop and conduct several landmark randomised trials focused on improving outcomes for this patient group. Her research is increasingly multidisciplinary, with increasing relevance to fundamental questions, such as aging.

Prof. Klausner has more than 25 years of HIV and STI prevention and clinical research experience, especially with marginalized populations. His research interests are in applied epidemiology and the prevention and control of infectious diseases of public health importance like HIV, STDs, TB, COVID-19 and cryptococcal infections. Prof. Klausner has a particular interest in the use of technology (information, digital, and laboratory) to facilitate access to prevention and early treatment. He is a frequent advisor to the CDC, NIH and WHO and a popular public speaker.

Prof. Abu-Raddad’s current main research interests include the study of the spread of sexually transmitted infections such as HIV/AIDS, HSV-1, HSV-2, chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea; the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory infections; the assessment of HCV epidemiological patterns; studying diabetes and tuberculosis epidemiology; and the evaluation of the impact of various interventions against infectious diseases, including vaccines, diagnostics, and drug regimens. His research focuses on global and regional epidemiology, with a particular emphasis on the Middle East and North Africa region. Prof. Abu-Raddad has been the lead author of numerous high-impact studies in recent years, covering topics such as STIs, HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, HCV, and tuberculosis.

Prof. Dr. Helen Chu, who holds the Alex McMillan Professorship in Pandemic Preparedness, is a distinguished Professor of Medicine & Epidemiology at the University of Washington School of Medicine and Public Health. Renowned for her groundbreaking work on respiratory viruses, Dr. Chu has made significant contributions to the understanding and preparedness for pandemics. Her research on Influenza A H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b has been pivotal in unraveling the complexities of this highly pathogenic avian influenza strain. By studying its transmission dynamics, clinical outcomes, and potential for human adaptation, Dr. Chu's work has provided crucial insights into mitigating the risks posed by this formidable virus. Her efforts have not only advanced scientific knowledge but have also played a vital role in informing public health strategies and interventions aimed at preventing widespread outbreaks and ensuring global health security.

Dr. Daniel Jarem is a Medical Affairs Lead at Roche Diagnostics, renowned for his expertise and contributions in the field of medical diagnostics. With a strong background in molecular biology and biochemistry, Dr. Jarem has been instrumental in advancing innovative diagnostic technologies that enhance early disease detection and patient care. His work at Roche Diagnostics focuses on the development and management of the medical strategy for cutting-edge assays and platforms that deliver high accuracy and reliability, ultimately improving clinical outcomes and fostering personalized medicine.

Professor at the University of Hamburg and head of the Department of Arbovirology and Entomology, Bernhard Nocht Institute of Tropical Medicine, Hamburg Germany

Dr. Schmidt-Chanasit is a professor and the head of the department of Arbovirology and Entomology at the Bernhard Nocht Institute of Tropical Medicine in Hamburg, Germany. Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit is a leading expert in tropical medicine, renowned for his extensive research on arboviruses, including the dengue virus. As a prominent figure at the Institute of Tropical Medicine, he specializes in the epidemiology and virology of these vector-borne diseases, contributing significantly to our understanding of their transmission, prevention, and control. Dr. Schmidt-Chanasit's work has been instrumental in addressing the global challenges posed by arboviruses, advancing both scientific knowledge and public health strategies.

Professor at the department of Microbiology and head of the department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka; until June 2024: Head of the Global Dengue Program.

Dr. Gathsaurie Neelika Malavige is an esteemed immunologist and infectious disease specialist, widely recognized for her expertise in dengue and other tropical diseases. With a distinguished career that includes serving as the Head of the Global Dengue Program, Dr. Malavige has been at the forefront of international efforts to combat the dengue virus. Her work encompasses crucial research into the immunopathogenesis of dengue, leading to significant advancements in understanding and mitigating the impact of this disease. Dr. Malavige's leadership and scientific contributions continue to shape global strategies in the fight against dengue and other vector-borne diseases.

Prof. Moradpour earned his medical doctoral degree from the University of Zürich in 1989, subsequently completing clinical training in Internal Medicine as well as Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University Hospitals in Zürich and Freiburg i. Br., alongside a research fellowship at Harvard Medical School.

In 2004, following his role as staff physician at the University Hospital in Freiburg i. Br. and a visiting professorship at Rockefeller University, he joined the CHUV, initially as Chief of Hepatology and, since 2009, as Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 

He is a distinguished member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and of the Executive Board of the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences. He is also a scientific advisor to the German Center for Infection Research and an Associate Editor of Hepatology. Prof. Moradpour has authored over 400 original articles, reviews, and book chapters, which have garnered over 20,000 citations, underscoring his profound impact on the field of hepatology and viral hepatitis.

Dr. Polz is a senior scientist working at Roche Diagnostics GmbH for the past 12 years. He has a remarkable track of patents filed, including a method for detection and reduction of interferences in immunoassays, and publications on the field of hepatitis B. After earning a PhD in immunology at the University of Regensburg, he has joined Roche as development lead for several infectious diseases immunoassays. Among several projects, he has successfully developed the Elecsys Anti-HEV IgM immunoassay.

Dr. Kienle holds a Bachelor and Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences obtained at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, and Cardiff University, Wales in 2013. After obtaining his PhD in Biology at the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany in 2020, he joined Roche Diagnostics GmbH as Science Trainee Immunoassay in the Research and Development group. Since 2022 he is Development Lead in the R&D Elecsys Assay Development Infectious Diseases team. Among several other projects, he has successfully developed the Elecsys Anti-HEV IgG immunoassay.