Ben Hale

Ben Hale is a Full Professor of Medical Virology at the Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Switzerland. Previously, he held academic positions at the University of Zurich (2015-2025) and the University of Glasgow (2011-2014).

• Education: PhD in Molecular Virology (2008, University of St Andrews); BSc (Hons) in Cell Biology & Pathology (2004, University of St Andrews).
• Research Focus: The Hale group investigates molecular mechanisms of the interferon system, interferon deficiencies in viral diseases, and host-virus interactions using multi-omics, molecular virology, and clinical cohort studies.

His research spans Molecular Biology, Virology, and Immunology, with a particular emphasis on how viral proteins (e.g., influenza NS1, paramyxovirus V) manipulate interferon signaling and the role of autoantibodies in immunodeficiency. Recent work includes developing AIR cells for interferon detection and proximity proteomics of interferon signaling.

Scientific Awards:

• 2013 - ERC Starting Grant
• 2012 - Wellcome Trust/Royal Society Sir Henry Dale Fellowship

Hale's lab has trained doctoral students Florence Kwaschik and Chau Tran, and collaborates with clinicians and researchers globally. Funding comes from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF), Novartis Foundation, Hartmann Müller Foundation, and previous grants from the ERC and UK Medical Research Council (MRC).