The scientific quality of this year’s submissions for ESWI’s Best Body of Work Award was of an exceptionally high level. The Evaluation Committee members fully agreed that it is a great pleasure to see so many talented young flu researchers and to review their work. But it also made their task to assess the applications a complex and difficult one. After thorough deliberation, the Evaluation Committee members have decided to award the fourth edition of ESWI’s prize to Dr. Debby van Riel, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, The Netherlands. She will receive an invitation to speak during the Young Scientists Plenary session at the upcoming 6th ESWI Influenza Conference in Riga.

In light of the quality of their work, several applicants will be invited to co-chair a scientific session at the 2017 Riga Conference, as indeed, appointing promising scientists as programme session co-chairs is also part of ESWI’s objective to stimulate the careers of promising researchers.