Timm Harder

Prof. Dr. Timm Harder serves as Extraordinary Professor at Kiel University's Institute of Infection Medicine (Faculty of Medicine) and holds dual roles as Senior Scientist and Head of the O.I.E./FAO National Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza at the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut's Institute of Diagnostic Virology on Riems Island.

His academic foundation includes:

• Veterinary Medicine studies at University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (1982-1988)
• Doctoral thesis on "Morbillivirus infections in Pinnipeds" (1990)
• PhD in "Morbilli- and Herpesvirus Infections in Marine Mammals" from Erasmus University Rotterdam (1997)
• Venia legendi in Experimental Virology at Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel (2001)

Research centers on influenza A viruses and paramyxoviruses with emphasis on molecular epidemiology and phylogenetic analysis at human-animal-wildlife interfaces. His laboratory pioneers multiplex pathogen detection systems, environmental influenza surveillance, and swine influenza molecular epidemiology, particularly focusing on immunogenic glycoprotein expression platforms.

As O.I.E. and National Reference Laboratory head, he directs critical avian influenza diagnostics and international reference work. He supervises graduate theses in virology and related disciplines through both institutional affiliations.