Jolanda Smit

Prof. Jolanda Smit is a Professor of Experimental Virology at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Medical Sciences, with an affiliation to the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG). She serves as Director of the Graduate School of Medical Sciences, overseeing academic training programs. Her research focuses on virus-host interactions, antiviral drug discovery, and immunopathogenesis, particularly studying mosquito-borne viruses like dengue and Chikungunya. She has contributed to advancements in viral diagnostics, such as the FlowSA assay for SARS-CoV-2 detection, and antiviral therapies targeting viral replication mechanisms.

Her work emphasizes translational research, bridging basic science and clinical applications. She has secured significant funding, including a subsidy for training personnel in life science and health sectors (2024). She frequently provides expert commentary on viral topics, such as insights into SARS-CoV-2 and resveratrol's role in health (2020–2020).

Prof. Smit supervises 20 graduate students and collaborates with a multidisciplinary team in the Department of Microbes in Health and Disease (MHD). Her research team investigates molecular pathways in viral infections, including mitochondrial regulation of Chikungunya replication and the role of soluble markers like TLR2 in dengue pathology.