Wim Adriaensen

Wim Adriaensen is an Associate Professor and Head of the Clinical Immunology Unit at the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM), Antwerp, Belgium. He holds a double PhD in medical sciences and public health from KU Leuven and UCLouvain, Belgium, with research training at the University of Tübingen, Germany. His work focuses on clinical immunology, particularly in neglected tropical diseases like visceral leishmaniasis and HIV co-infections. He has pioneered immunosurveillance methodologies and expanded research into cutaneous leishmaniasis, rabies, SARS-CoV-2, MPOX, and Ebola. He has secured over €4 million in grants and managed over 20 clinical trials, contributing to diagnostic tool development and vaccine strategies.

• Affiliations: Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp
• Education: MSc (2010), PhD (2015) in medical sciences and public health

His research integrates host immune responses to infections, with key interests in:

• Mechanisms of chronic visceral leishmaniasis in HIV co-infection
• Development of predictive biomarkers and immunotherapies
• Immunodiagnostics for disease elimination
• Role of skin-resident immunity in vaccine design
• Ebola booster vaccination strategies

Recent articles highlight studies on Monkeypox cytokine profiles, Ebola vaccine duration, and T-cell responses to SARS-CoV-2. While no specific awards are listed, his work has significant policy impact in global health initiatives.

He oversees capacity-building programs in immunosurveillance and has led teams in Ethiopia, Brazil, and other endemic regions, emphasizing translational research and global health equity.