Kevin K. Ariën

Dr. Kevin K. Ariën is a Professor of Virology at the University of Antwerp and Head of the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp (ITM). He specializes in virology, with a focus on HIV, arthropod-borne viruses (e.g., Chikungunya, Dengue), and emerging pathogens like SARS-CoV-2. His research spans viral fitness, transmission mechanisms, molecular interactions, and diagnostic tool development. He leads ITM's Virology Unit and directs the WHO Collaborating Centre for HIV/AIDS Diagnostics.

• Education: Master's (Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 2001), PhD (University of Antwerp, 2005).
• Affiliations: ITM, University of Antwerp, Outbreak Research Team, Insectary Core.

Research interests include virus-host-vector interactions, molecular diagnostics, and (re-)emerging viruses. His team collaborates globally on field applications of diagnostics and reservoir studies. He advises on viral diagnostics and has received the 2015 Royal Flemish Academy Science Communication Prize.

Key contributions: Ebola diagnostics during West African epidemics, development of rapid diagnostic tests, and studies on mpox and SARS-CoV-2 immune responses.