Arinjay Banerjee

Dr. Arinjay Banerjee is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology within the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, and a Research Scientist and Principal Investigator at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO). He holds the Canada Research Chair in Zoonotic Virus and Animal Reservoirs and leads the Laboratory of Zoonotic Viruses and Comparative Immunology.

His research focuses on three interconnected themes:

• Coronavirus-host interactions in wildlife reservoirs (especially bats)
• Viral pathogenesis in human spillover species
• Development of vaccines and therapeutics against emerging viruses

Using interdisciplinary approaches including functional genomics, cell culture models, organoids, and comparative immunology, his work bridges virology, immunology, and disease ecology.

Analysis of recent publications reveals consistent focus on:

• Molecular mechanisms of viral tolerance in bats
• SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV pathogenesis
• Novel vaccine platforms
• Development of innovative models (e.g., bat cell lines, organ-on-chip systems)
• One Health approaches to emerging zoonoses

Significant scientific recognitions include:

• King Charles III Coronation Medal (2025)
• Canadian Society for Virology Early Career Researcher Award (2024)
• Governor General’s Gold Medal for doctoral thesis (2019)
• NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship (2019-2021)
• Michael G. DeGroote Fellowship (2018-2019)

Dr. Banerjee leads an active research team comprising postdoctoral fellows, PhD candidates, and MSc students investigating viral pathogenesis and immunity. The laboratory participates in several scientific consortia including the Canadian Pandemic Preparedness Hub and Global One Health Academy.