Kerstin Wernike

Kerstin Wernike serves as Laboratory Head at the Institute of Diagnostic Virology (IVD) within the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) in Greifswald, Germany. Holding the academic rank of Associate Professor (Privatdozent), she is internationally recognized as a WOAH Reference Expert for Bovine Viral Diarrhoea and a Chamber Recognised Veterinarian Specialist in Virology. Her work focuses on emerging viral pathogens affecting livestock through diagnostic development and pathogenesis studies.

Her research spans veterinary virology with emphasis on pestiviruses (particularly Bovine Viral Diarrhoea), orthobunyaviruses (Schmallenberg virus), and coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-2). Key interests include viral epidemiology, evolution, diagnostic assay validation, and cross-species transmission. Her work consistently addresses One Health intersections between animal and human health, with significant contributions to understanding viral reservoirs and vector-borne transmission dynamics.

Analysis of her 149 publications (2011-2025) reveals dominant research trajectories: sustained Schmallenberg virus investigation since its 2011 emergence, expanding BVD diagnostic frameworks, and rapid SARS-CoV-2 adaptation studies in livestock models (2020-2021). Recent work emphasizes field surveillance (2023-2024) and knowledge synthesis for neglected veterinary pathogens.

Scientific recognitions include:

• WOAH Reference Expert for Bovine Viral Diarrhoea
• Chamber Recognised Veterinarian Specialist in Virology

Dr. Wernike supervises graduate theses through OpenAgrar and leads FLI's reference laboratory network for BVD, Schmallenberg virus, SARS-CoV-2, and Simbu virus. Her team conducts experimental infections, diagnostic validation, and field surveillance critical for EU disease control frameworks.

Her laboratory operates within FLI's national reference system, coordinating with WOAH and EU reference networks. Current work focuses on Schmallenberg virus circulation patterns (2023-2024), BVD eradication strategies, and wildlife reservoir characterization for tick-borne encephalitis virus.