Irene Alma Abela

Dr. Irene Alma Abela is a Senior Physician in the Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Hygiene at the University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and a Scientist at the Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich. She serves as Co-director of the Swiss HIV Cohort Study Center (SHCS) in Zurich and leads the vaccination consultation for immunocompromised patients. Her clinical expertise spans viral infections including HIV, CMV, and SARS-CoV-2, with a focus on special populations such as transplant recipients.

Education:

• MD-PhD Program, University of Zurich (2005-2008)
• Medical studies, University of Zurich (2002-2008)
• PhD in Medical Virology, University of Zurich (2009-2012)
• Certificate of Advanced Studies in Clinical Trial Management, University of Zurich (2016-2020)
• Specialist title in Infectious Diseases (2017)

Dr. Abela's research focuses on HIV antibody responses after vaccinations, SARS-CoV-2 serology and neutralization, and CMV resistance mechanisms. Her work bridges clinical practice with translational research, particularly examining how viral infections interact with metabolic conditions and how immune responses vary in immunocompromised populations. She has made significant contributions to understanding HIV pathogenesis, vaccine responses in special populations, and the bidirectional relationship between viral infections and metabolic diseases.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on HIV research within the Swiss HIV Cohort Study framework, with growing attention to SARS-CoV-2 immune responses in immunocompromised patients. Her work demonstrates interdisciplinary collaboration across virology, immunology, and clinical medicine, with particular focus on vulnerable populations including transplant recipients and immunocompromised individuals. Recent studies highlight her leadership in vaccine response research and understanding metabolic complications in HIV management.

Dr. Abela is actively involved in multiple research consortia including the Swiss HIV Cohort Study, Swiss Transplant Cohort Study, and the COVERALL series of studies examining vaccine responses. Her leadership extends to the Swiss Mother and Child HIV Cohort Study (MoCHiV), demonstrating commitment to comprehensive HIV research across the lifespan.