Giuseppe Ippolito

Giuseppe Ippolito is a Professor of Infectious Diseases at the Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences in Rome. He served as Director General for Research and Innovation in Health at Italy's Ministry of Health (2021–2023), and previously as Scientific Director of the National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' (over 20 years). He led the WHO Collaborating Centre for Highly Contagious Diseases for 12 years.

Education:

• MD with honors from Sapienza University of Rome (1978)
• Specialization in Infectious Diseases (1981) and Dermatology/STDs (1984)
• MSc in Health Organization Management from Tor Vergata University (1997)

Research Focus: Emergent pathogens, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and global health security. He coordinates EU-funded projects on biosecurity, pandemic preparedness, and response to health crises.

Awards:

• Linceo Special Prize (2021)
• Irti Foundation Prize (2021)
• Knighthood: Cavaliere di Gran Croce (2021)

Grants & Leadership: Led Italian Cooperation-funded initiatives in 40+ countries since 2005. Coordinated EU projects on emerging infections and biosecurity. Member of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (2016).

Key Roles: Advisor to WHO, EU, and global health agencies. Played a central role in Italy’s response to pandemics, including the 2020–2023 SARS-CoV-2 crisis.