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Dr. Kevin K. Ariën is a Professor of Virology at the University of Antwerp and Head of the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp (ITM). He specializes in virology, with a focus on HIV, arthropod-borne viruses (e.g., Chikungunya, Dengue), and emerging pathogens like SARS-CoV-2. His research spans viral fitness, transmission mechanisms, molecular interactions, and diagnostic tool development. He leads ITM's Virology Unit and directs the WHO Collaborating Centre for HIV/AIDS Diagnostics. Education: Master's (Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 2001), PhD (University of Antwerp, 2005). Affiliations: ITM, University of Antwerp, Outbreak Research Team, Insectary Core. Research interests include virus-host-vector interactions, molecular diagnostics, and (re-)emerging viruses. His team collaborates globally on field applications of diagnostics and reservoir studies. He advises on viral diagnostics and has received the 2015 Royal Flemish Academy Science Communication Prize. Key contributions: Ebola diagnostics during West African epidemics, development of rapid diagnostic tests, and studies on mpox and SARS-CoV-2 immune responses.

• Virology
• HIV Research
• Arboviruses (Chikungunya, Dengue)
• +4 more

Birgit De Smet is a researcher in Tropical Bacteriology at the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITG) in Antwerp, Belgium. Her work focuses on infectious disease outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and related diagnostic development. Her research interests center on tropical infectious diseases with particular expertise in arboviruses including Chikungunya, Zika, and Ebola viruses, as well as bacterial pathogens like Burkholderia pseudomallei causing melioidosis. Her work spans molecular characterization, outbreak investigation, and diagnostic test development. Analysis of her publication trends shows consistent research output from 2011-2021 with particular emphasis on viral outbreaks in Central Africa. Her work demonstrates strong collaboration with Congolese institutions and international researchers, focusing on both clinical management and ecological aspects of emerging infectious diseases. She has been involved in significant research projects including ARMADA (2015-2018), which focused on developing pan-arbovirus diagnostic tests for clinical management of non-malaria febrile illnesses.

• Tropical Medicine
• Bacteriology
• Virology
• +4 more

Dr. Leen Delang serves as a Senior Lecturer at KU Leuven's Faculty of Medicine within the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation. She leads the Mosquito Virology Team as part of the Virus-host Interactions and Therapeutic Approaches (VITA) Research Group at the Rega Institute for Medical Research. Dr. Delang is also a member of the Division Virology Group 4 – Rega and Leuven One Health – KU Leuven One Health Institute, and serves on both the Faculty Council of Medicine and Departmental Council for Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation. Her research focuses on mosquito-borne viruses (arboviruses) with particular emphasis on understanding virus-host-vector interactions and developing novel antiviral strategies. Dr. Delang employs an interdisciplinary approach combining molecular virology, drug discovery, and medical entomology to investigate how arboviruses interact with their hosts and vectors, and to develop new concepts for combating mosquito-borne diseases. Analysis of Dr. Delang's recent publications (2024-2025) reveals a strong research focus on arbovirus transmission dynamics, particularly examining how skin microbiota influences mosquito host-finding behavior and virus transmission. Her work also explores innovative antiviral strategies, including repurposing existing drugs and developing new compounds to inhibit arbovirus replication in both vertebrate hosts and mosquito vectors. Key pathogens under investigation include alphaviruses (chikungunya), flaviviruses (Zika, dengue, West Nile, Usutu), with particular attention to transmission mechanisms and vector competence. Dubois-Brigué prize for Tropical Pathology from the Belgian Royal Academy of Medicine (2023) Dr. Delang currently leads or co-leads multiple significant research projects including 'Development of broad-spectrum antiviral drugs in preparation for pandemics' (2024-2027), 'Classic and Novel Strategies to Combat Alphaviruses' (2023-2027), and 'Impact of skin bacteria on mosquito host finding and mosquito-borne virus infections' (2023-2026). These projects collectively receive substantial funding and involve interdisciplinary collaborations across virology, entomology, and drug discovery. Based at the Rega Institute's BSL3 facility, Dr. Delang's laboratory maintains specialized mosquito infection capabilities to study arbovirus transmission by various mosquito species. The lab employs cutting-edge techniques to investigate virus-host interactions, antiviral drug efficacy in both vertebrate and vector systems, and the role of microbiota in arbovirus disease dynamics.

• Virology
• Arbovirology
• Antiviral Drug Development
• +4 more

Marco Brustolin is a Senior Researcher at the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) in Antwerp, Belgium. He holds a MSc in Advanced Biotechnology from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (2013) and a PhD in Animal Medicine and Health from the Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (Spain). His research focuses on vector competence of mosquitoes for arboviruses like West Nile, Rift Valley fever, Chikungunya, dengue, and Mayaro viruses, as well as SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis. He investigates viral dynamics in vectors and host-vector interactions. Key projects include the CLIMB initiative (2023-2026), funded by the Flemish Government, exploring climate change impacts on biodiversity and health interfaces. His work bridges entomology, virology, and public health, with a focus on emerging pathogens and vector control strategies. Recent research highlights include studies on Mayaro virus transmission potential in European mosquitoes, Wolbachia effects on alphavirus infections in Aedes aegypti, and antiviral efficacy in animal models. He collaborates internationally, contributing to over 18 peer-reviewed publications since 2016.

• Vector-borne diseases
• Medical Entomology
• Virology
• +3 more

Kevin Ariën is a Professor of Virology at the University of Antwerp, leading the Department of Biomedical Sciences. He also heads the Virology Unit and directs the Virus BSL3 facility at the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp (ITM). His research focuses on HIV, arboviruses (e.g., Chikungunya, Dengue), Ebola, and SARS-CoV-2, emphasizing diagnostic tool development and molecular interactions. He co-directs the WHO Collaborating Centre for HIV/AIDS Diagnostics and leads projects like RESTOREID and e-FabRIC. Awards include the 2015 Royal Flemish Academy Science Communication Prize. His work spans clinical diagnostics, vaccine research, and global health collaborations in DR Congo, Peru, and Cuba. Education: MSc from Vrije Universiteit Brussel (2001), PhD in Virology from University of Antwerp (2005). Key roles: ITM Virology Unit Head (2014), Department Head (2022), WHO Collaborating Centre co-director (2020). Research Themes: Emerging viruses, diagnostics, immune responses, and vector-host interactions. Grants/Projects: European Commission-funded RESTOREID (ecosystem restoration) and e-FabRIC (equine antibody manufacturing). Awards: Recognized for science communication and contributions to virology.

• Virology
• Emerging Infectious Diseases
• HIV Research
• +6 more