Fernando Vicosa Bauermann, DVM, MSc, PhD, is an Associate Professor at the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology , Oklahoma State University . Originally from Brazil, he holds degrees from the Federal University of Santa Maria (DVM 2008, PhD 2013) and conducted postdoctoral research at USDA-APHIS (2013-2016) and South Dakota State University (2016-2018). His academic career focuses on virology , pathogenesis of bovine respiratory viruses , and biosecurity protocols for veterinary pathogens. Education : DVM, MSc, PhD in Veterinary Medicine (Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Brazil) Research interests span virus-host interactions , bovine respiratory disease complex , emerging pestiviruses , and viral inactivation methods . His work addresses survivability of viral pathogens in feed ingredients , swine viral diagnostics , and cross-border disease surveillance . Key funding sources include USDA-NIFA , National Pork Board , and Swine Health Information Center . Current projects focus on vaccine adjuvants for ruminants , single-cycle vaccine development , and thermal virus inactivation protocols . He serves as peer reviewer for journals like Journals of Virology , Frontiers in Veterinary Science , and PLoS Pathogens . His teaching activities include Veterinary Virology and PhD Research Supervision , emphasizing diagnostic virology and viral pathogenesis .
Carolyn M. Malmstrom is a Professor in the Department of Plant Biology at Michigan State University and a core faculty member in the Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior program. Her research focuses on plant-microbial ecology, virus interactions in grasslands, and implications for bioenergy crops. Ph.D., Plant Biology and Ecology, Michigan State University B.A., Biology, Boston University Key research areas include: Eco-evolutionary dynamics of plant viruses in native and agricultural ecosystems Impact of viral infections on bioenergy crops like switchgrass Interactions between invasive species and native plant pathogen communities Application of high-throughput sequencing for virome discovery Ecological restoration strategies integrating disease management Recent publications highlight her work on virus-mediated soil carbon dynamics, hop virome analysis, and multi-scale viral epidemiology. Her lab maintains collaborations across North America, Europe, and Africa. Notable contributions: Developed molecular diagnostics for plant viruses Documented widespread wild virus infections in switchgrass Established links between plant traits and viral susceptibility Investigated agricultural land-use impacts on grassland viromes
Professor John Stambas serves as Associate Head Of School, Research at Deakin University's Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, and Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation. He leads the Viral Immunology laboratory and has established himself as a prominent researcher in viral immunology with expertise spanning from cellular mechanisms to clinical applications. His academic foundation includes: Bachelor of Science from University of Melbourne Doctor of Philosophy from University of Melbourne Graduate Certificate of Higher Education from Deakin University Professor Stambas specializes in Immunology and Virology , with particular expertise in respiratory virus infections including influenza and HIV. His research bridges fundamental immunological mechanisms with translational applications for vaccine and therapeutic development. He has made significant contributions to understanding T cell responses against viral pathogens and the development of novel vaccine strategies. His extensive publication record demonstrates a consistent research trajectory focused on viral immunology, with recent work emphasizing emerging respiratory viruses and next-generation vaccine platforms. The articles reveal a progression from basic immunological mechanisms to increasingly translational research with clinical implications. Professor Stambas actively supervises graduate students, offering opportunities for Masters by Research and PhD candidates interested in viral pathogenesis and immune responses. His mentorship extends to guiding early-career researchers in developing independent scientific careers. Based at Deakin University's Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, Professor Stambas directs the Viral Immunology laboratory, which serves as a collaborative hub for national and international research on viral diseases. The laboratory maintains strong connections with leading research institutions including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the University of Melbourne, where he previously worked under Nobel Laureate Peter Doherty.
Laura M. L. Dix is a researcher at Erasmus MC's Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, focusing on infection prevention and clinical microbiology. Her work bridges hospital epidemiology with community-acquired infections, particularly in device-related pathogenesis and antimicrobial resistance. Key Research Areas: Infection prevention in healthcare settings Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida auris pathogenesis Group A streptococcal soft tissue infections Antimicrobial stewardship and resistance mechanisms Her recent publications highlight critical infection control challenges, including LVAD driveline infections and emerging fungal threats in Dutch hospitals. Collaborative network analysis shows strong connections with national medical institutions in the Netherlands. While no scientific awards are documented in the provided materials, her peer-reviewed articles demonstrate active contributions to clinical infection research through collaborations with multidisciplinary teams. Laura's work emphasizes both laboratory analysis and real-world clinical implementation.
Dr. Constantinos S. Kyriakis is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathobiology at Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine, specializing in viral diseases of food animals. His research focuses on swine and avian influenza viruses, novel vaccine technologies, and animal models of viral disease pathogenesis and prevention. He is also an affiliated faculty member at the Center for Vaccines and Immunology at the University of Georgia. Dr. Kyriakis received his formal education through: PhD in Virology and Vaccinology from the Laboratory of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium (2009) DVM from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece (2004) His research program centers on viral pathogens affecting food-producing animals , with particular expertise in swine influenza epidemiology and interspecies transmission dynamics . Dr. Kyriakis has made significant contributions to understanding viral evolution in agricultural settings and developing novel approaches to disease prevention. His work bridges veterinary medicine, virology, and public health, with implications for both animal health and pandemic preparedness. Analysis of Dr. Kyriakis' publication record reveals consistent contributions to influenza research across multiple continents, with recent work expanding into epithelial cell culture models and connections between animal and human health. His research spans both European and American contexts, examining regional differences in circulating strains and investigating emerging viral threats like Influenza D. Dr. Kyriakis has contributed to significant research initiatives including: EU-funded research project investigating epidemiology of influenza in swine following the 2009 H1N1 pandemic NIH/NIAID Emory-UGA Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance (CEIRS) His work as an educator includes teaching virology, immunology, and viral infectious diseases to veterinary students, continuing a tradition that began during his time as an adjunct lecturer at the University of Thessaly.
Dr. Chengming Wang is a Professor in the Department of Pathobiology at Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine. His research focuses on molecular diagnostics, antimicrobial resistance, and vector-borne zoonotic agents. With expertise spanning veterinary pathology, infectious diseases, and molecular biology, Dr. Wang has established himself as a leading researcher in veterinary diagnostics and pathogen detection. Education: PhD in Biomedical Sciences, Auburn University (2005) MS in Poultry Science, Auburn University (2002) MS in Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University (1992) DVM, Anhui Science & Technology University (1989) Dr. Wang's research spans antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, molecular diagnostic techniques for veterinary pathogens, and vector-borne diseases with zoonotic potential. His work has significantly advanced PCR-based diagnostic methods, particularly FRET-PCR applications for pathogen detection in veterinary medicine. He has pioneered approaches for detecting Chlamydia species, Salmonella serovars, and other significant veterinary pathogens, with a focus on improving diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity. His extensive publication record demonstrates a clear trajectory from fundamental molecular techniques to applied veterinary diagnostics. Recent work focuses on emerging pathogens, antimicrobial resistance in food animals, and zoonotic disease surveillance, with increasing emphasis on molecular epidemiology and One Health approaches connecting animal, human, and environmental health. His laboratory has developed numerous diagnostic protocols now used in veterinary diagnostic laboratories worldwide. Dr. Wang has mentored numerous students and collaborators in molecular diagnostic techniques and has contributed significantly to veterinary diagnostic methodology through his research and publications. His laboratory at Auburn University serves as a hub for developing and validating diagnostic protocols with direct applications in veterinary clinical practice and public health surveillance.
Poonam Sharma is a Research Assistant Professor and Assistant Director of the Diagnostic Assay Validation Network (DAVN) at Oklahoma State University's Institute for Biosecurity and Microbial Forensics (IBMF). She holds a PhD in Human Pathology from Aix Marseille University, France, and completed a USDA-ARS postdoc at the National Poultry Research Center. Her work focuses on diagnostic assay development, specifically Next-Gen sequencing for poultry viruses and antimicrobial resistance in foodborne pathogens. She leads the National Diagnostic Assay Laboratory Network (DALN), coordinating plant disease diagnostic standards and assay validation protocols. Education : PhD in Human Pathology (Infectious Disease), Aix Marseille University, France Postdoc, USDA-ARS National Poultry Research Center, GA Research Interests : Diagnostic assay validation frameworks for plant pathogens Next-Gen sequencing applications in microbial forensics Antimicrobial resistance in foodborne pathogens Plant disease diagnostic network coordination Grant Funding : USDA-NIFA grant ($1M) for DAVN (2022-2026) Labs/Teams : Leads IBMF's efforts in the DALN and collaborates with USDA-ARS units on poultry virology and bacterial epidemiology. Active in developing standardized protocols for diagnostic assays in agriculture and food safety.
Simon Dellicour is a prominent researcher in molecular and spatial epidemiology, holding dual academic positions as an F.R.S.-FNRS Research Associate at Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and Visiting Professor at KU Leuven. He directs the Spatial Epidemiology Lab, where he leads research at the intersection of epidemiology, phylogenetics, and spatial analysis. His work bridges theoretical methodological developments with practical applications in disease surveillance and control. Dr. Dellicour completed his bioengineering degree at UCLouvain in 2009, followed by a PhD at ULB (2009-2013) under Patrick Mardulyn. His postdoctoral journey included positions at Oxford with Oliver Pybus (2013-2015), KU Leuven with Philippe Lemey (2015-2018), and the Spatial Epidemiology Lab with Marius Gilbert (2018-2020). In 2020, he secured the prestigious FNRS Research Associate position, a permanent academic appointment from the Belgian national research foundation. His research focuses on landscape phylogeography , developing and applying innovative methods to understand pathogen spread across geographical landscapes. His work integrates molecular epidemiology with spatial analysis to track disease transmission patterns for zoonotic and vector-borne diseases. He has made significant contributions to viral evolution research, including studies on SARS-CoV-2 variants, avian influenza, and West Nile virus. His methodological innovations include software packages like GCALIGNER, SPADS, PHYLOGEOSIM, SERAPHIM, KoT, NOSOI, PHYCOVA, SPREAD4, and Spread.gl, which have become valuable tools in molecular epidemiology. His publication record demonstrates consistent application of phylogeographic methods to understand pathogen spread. Recent work examines avian influenza dynamics across Europe, SARS-CoV-2 origins in bats, West Nile virus expansion related to climate change, and methodological improvements in viral landscape phylogeography. His research bridges computational methods with practical public health applications through interdisciplinary collaborations. Dr. Dellicour teaches Introduction to spatial and molecular epidemiology (BING-F432), Experimental design and data analysis (BING-F4002), and Seminars of data analysis (BING-F535). His role as research director involves mentorship of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, though specific advisees aren't listed in the provided information. As director of the Spatial Epidemiology Lab, Dr. Dellicour leads a research team focused on developing spatial and molecular epidemiological methods. The lab maintains extensive international collaborations across Europe and globally, as evidenced by the multinational authorship on his publications. His work consistently integrates virology, ecology, statistics, and public health expertise to address complex questions about disease emergence and spread.
David R. Gang is a Professor in the Institute of Biological Chemistry at Washington State University (WSU), where he also serves as Director of WSU's Center for Cannabis Policy, Research and Outreach (CCPRO) and Director of the Tissue Imaging and Proteomics Laboratory (TIMPL). He previously served as Assistant Director of the CAHNRS Office of Research in the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences. Dr. Gang has been affiliated with WSU since 2009, following his faculty position at the University of Arizona's Department of Plant Sciences and BIO5 Institute. Dr. Gang's primary research interests focus on plant specialized metabolism, with particular emphasis on medicinal plants, aromatic plants, and hemp/cannabis research. His laboratory employs a multidisciplinary approach combining chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, and omics technologies to elucidate biosynthetic pathways of specialized metabolites. His work spans seven major research areas: 1) medicinal compound production in plants, 2) metabolic regulation in plants, 3) invasive plant species biology, 4) plant disease control (particularly citrus greening), 5) drug target identification from natural sources, 6) ancient residue analysis in archeometry, and 7) hemp for economic development. His research often involves field collection of biological samples from diverse global locations including Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Korea, and Thailand. Dr. Gang's recent publications demonstrate strong trends in cannabis/hemp research, ancient biomolecular analysis, plant-pathogen interactions, and specialized metabolite biosynthesis. His work increasingly focuses on the intersection of traditional plant knowledge with modern analytical techniques, particularly in the context of human health applications and agricultural sustainability. The research shows growing emphasis on translational applications of basic plant biochemistry findings to address contemporary challenges in agriculture, medicine, and environmental science. Benson Presidential Scholarship at BYU Loyal H. Davis Graduate Student Fellowship at WSU Sokol Post-Doctoral Fellowship in the Sciences from the Rackham Graduate School, UM Arthur Neish Young Investigator Award, PSNA Young Investigator Award in Plant Genome Research from the United States National Science Foundation President of the Phytochemical Society of North America Executive Board Member of the Groupe Polyphenols Dr. Gang has supervised 18 post-doctoral researchers, a dozen graduate students, and over two dozen undergraduate students in his laboratory. His research is supported by diverse funding sources including USDA NIFA SAS Grants for hemp research in the western US and tribal lands, a DOE RACIPAC project on biochar formulations in hemp-based crop rotation systems, and Washington State Department of Ecology funding for pesticide uptake studies in cannabis plants. His laboratory collaborates extensively with partners at Oregon State University, UC Davis, University of Nevada, Reno, and tribal communities. Dr. Gang leads the Laboratory for Cellular Metabolism and Engineering (LCME), which houses the Tissue Imaging and Proteomics Laboratory (TIMPL). His research group includes postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, and undergraduate interns working across multiple projects. The lab maintains specialized facilities for metabolomics, proteomics, and mass spectrometry imaging, supporting research on plant specialized metabolism, rhizome biology, and cannabis science. Current major initiatives include the Center for Cannabis Policy, Research and Outreach and the DOE-funded RACIPAC project investigating biochar applications in agricultural systems.
Professor Julia Beatty is a Professor of Feline Medicine at the University of Sydney's Sydney School of Veterinary Science. She specializes in tumour virology and virus discovery in companion animals, with a focus on feline gammaherpesviruses and hepadnaviruses. Her research aims to improve cancer outcomes across species through collaborations in virology and oncology. Education: BSc (hons), BVetMed, PhD (Viral Immunology), FANZCVS (Feline Medicine), GradCertEd (Higher Ed), MRCVS, MACID Affiliations: Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases, International Society of Companion Animal Infectious Diseases (ISCAID) Board Research Interests: Feline and canine tumour virology, virus discovery, feline retroviruses (FIV/FeLV), felid gammaherpesviruses, and oncogenic viruses. Her work bridges clinical practice and translational research, with a focus on One Health approaches to infectious diseases. Publications highlight her contributions to feline virology, including discovery of novel viruses and their roles in cancer. Recent studies focus on hepadnavirus epidemiology and gammaherpesvirus pathogenesis. Awards: 2014 Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association Award for Scientific Excellence 2012 Thompson Fellowship for Research Career Development Teaching includes DVM programs and postgraduate research supervision. Current projects involve pathogen discovery, feline panleukopenia re-emergence, and viral oncogenesis collaborations with UC Davis. Labs/Teams: Leads virology and infectious disease research groups, collaborating internationally on viral discovery and One Health initiatives.
Professor Mark Douglas is a Professor of Infectious Diseases and Hepatic Medicine at the University of Sydney's Westmead Clinical School, within the Faculty of Medicine and Health. He leads the Viral Hepatitis Pathogenesis group at the Storr Liver Centre and is affiliated with the Westmead Institute for Medical Research. His research focuses on hepatitis viruses (HBV, HCV, HDV), lipid metabolism, and antiviral resistance. He runs liver clinics for hepatitis patients and treats HIV and other infections at Westmead Hospital. Education and professional background: Dr. Douglas completed postdoctoral training at the MRC Virology Unit in Glasgow (2005-2007) and holds a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications, including a book on herpes simplex virus transport. Research interests include viral hepatitis pathogenesis, host-virus interactions, and developing personalized therapies. Current projects target HBV cure strategies, HCV resistance surveillance, and improving treatment access for disadvantaged groups. Recent articles highlight advancements in HBV immune response modulation, CAC-driven liver inflammation, and TM6SF2 inhibition for viral secretion suppression. His work bridges basic science and clinical translation, addressing global health challenges in viral hepatitis. Awards: NHMRC CJ Martin Fellowship (2005) Grants: Includes studies on HBV cccDNA diagnostics, HCV resistance surveillance, and TM6SF2 inhibition. As a Research Academic Director in Clinical Sciences, Dr. Douglas supervises postgraduate students like Harout AJOYAN and Delgerbat BOLDBAATAR. Collaborations span institutions in Indonesia (Eijkman Institute, Hasanuddin University) and the UK (University of Glasgow, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute).
Jocelyn J. Herstein is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental, Agricultural & Occupational Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Public Health. She also serves as Director of International Partnerships and Programs for the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center and a Scholar at the Global Center for Health Security. Her work focuses on high-consequence infectious disease preparedness, infection control, and training programs for healthcare workers globally. Education: PhD in Environmental and Occupational Health (UNMC, 2018) MPH in Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health (UNMC, 2016) BA in Global Studies (University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2013) Research Interests: Dr. Herstein specializes in high-consequence infectious disease management, including exposure assessment, health systems preparedness, and validation of containment protocols. She has authored over 40 publications on biopreparedness and led national training programs on Ebola, Lassa fever, and COVID-19. Her work emphasizes global health security and pandemic response strategies. Grants & Advising: She co-led a national online training program for federal first responders during the pandemic and developed guidelines for meat processing facilities and schools. She also coordinates UNMC’s partnership with the WHO’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network. Labs/Teams: Affiliated with the Global Center for Health Security and the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center, she collaborates internationally to improve clinical management and infrastructure for high-consequence pathogens.
Jennifer Babik, MD, PhD, is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine. She specializes in clinical infectious diseases, particularly infections in immunocompromised patients, and serves on the Immunocompromised Host and General Infectious Diseases Consult Services at UCSF Health. She is also the Program Director for the Infectious Diseases Fellowship and the Mentoring Facilitator for the ID Division at UCSF Health. Her educational pursuits focus on curriculum development, clinical teaching practices, and improving subspecialty education for residents and fellows. Education: BA, Molecular Biology, Princeton University (1995) PhD, Physiological Sciences, University of Oxford (1999) MD, Stanford University School of Medicine (2003) Internal Medicine Residency, UCSF (2006) Infectious Diseases Fellowship, UCSF (2009) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Training, UCSF (2018) Research interests include medical education innovation, infectious diseases in immunocompromised hosts, and curriculum development. Her work emphasizes improving teaching methods for consultants and expanding diversity in medical training pipelines. Recent studies focus on fungal infections, pandemic response, and residency application trends. Publications highlight her contributions to clinical practice guidelines, infection control strategies, and medical education reforms. Her work has been featured in journals such as the Lancet Planetary Health , Journal of Clinical Oncology , and Clinical Infectious Diseases . Awards include the IDSA’s Medical Education Featured Educator (2024), Academic All-America Hall of Fame (2022), and multiple teaching accolades from UCSF. She is a member of the Haile T. Debas Academy of Medical Educators (2015). As a mentor, she supports long-term professional development in the SOM Inquiry Curriculum and leads initiatives to enhance residency training quality. Her research also addresses systemic challenges in healthcare education and workforce diversity.
Carlos A Pérez, M.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at Baylor College of Medicine , Houston, TX. He serves as Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Regional Program within the Neurology Care Line at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. His clinical expertise focuses on neuroimmunological conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), optic neuritis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, demyelinating diseases, and autoimmune encephalitis. Education: MD from University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (2014); BS in Microbiology and Biochemistry from Texas State University (2010) Certifications: Neurology with Special Qualification in Child Neurology (American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology) Research interests emphasize understanding and addressing health disparities in MS treatment outcomes, neuroimaging correlates of neurological disability, and the impact of emerging pathogens like SARS-CoV-2 on neurological conditions. Dr. Pérez has contributed to studies on overlapping autoimmune syndromes and pediatric neuro-oncological associations such as hepatoblastoma-Sotos syndrome links. Publications (2015–2021) span topics including MRI-based disease assessment, demographic disparities in treatment response, and case studies of rare neuroimmunological disorders. He actively participates in professional organizations like the American Academy of Neurology and National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Dr. Carla E. Cáceres is a Professor and Director of the School of Integrative Biology at the University of Illinois. She holds additional appointments in the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Prairie Research Institute, and Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment. Her research focuses on population, community, and evolutionary ecology, exploring how biodiversity arises and is maintained, with emphasis on disease ecology and limnology. She has received numerous awards including Fellowships from AAAS and Ecological Society of America, and the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). Education: Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University (1997) BS in Biology, University of Michigan (1991, High Honors) Additional training in Environmental Genomics and Undergraduate Education (2009-2010) Her research integrates ecological and evolutionary processes to address questions about life-history variation, metacommunity dynamics, and disease distribution. Recent work examines predator-prey interactions influencing disease spread, fungal pathogen dynamics in Daphnia, and microbiome impacts on mosquito larvae. Over 100 peer-reviewed articles demonstrate her focus on aquatic ecosystems and disease ecology. Awards: AAAS Fellow (2017) Ecological Society of America Fellow (2016) PECASE (2003) Multiple teaching awards recognizing excellence in undergraduate education Research & Leadership: Leads interdisciplinary teams at multiple institutes, oversees grants exploring disease ecology mechanisms, and advises students in ecological research. Her lab actively investigates zooplankton-parasite systems and urban aquatic habitats.
