RSV Symposium 2023

Nationality: Italian

Position: Research Director, CNR Ageing Branch, Neuroscience Institute, Padova (Italy)

Research Fields: Clinical epidemiology and geriatrics. Main focus on lifelong approach to healthy ageing

ESWI member since 2022

Dr. Stefania Maggi received her degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Padua, Italy in 1983. She also attended the Graduate School of Geriatrics and Gerontology from the same University until 1987 and in 1988 she received her Master in Public Health from John Hopkins University in Baltimore (USA). Dr. Maggi also holds a PhD in Clinical Pathophysiology from the University of Padua, which she received in 2000.

Dr. Maggi has a specific interest in the epidemiology of ageing and in the analysis of factors promoting health ageing in a lifelong approach. From 1983-1985, Dr. Maggi worked as an attending physician at the Internal Medicine Department for the University Hospital in Padua before she spent the years of 1988-1989 as a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), for the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland (USA). From 1989-1993, she worked as the Coordinator for the WHO Program on Ageing, before she moved on to work as a researcher in the Ageing branch at the Institute of Neuroscience, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR), Padua. Dr. Maggi worked as a researcher from 1993-2007 before becoming Research Director for the same branch and institute, in 2007, a position she currently holds. In this position, she coordinates several national and international research projects on nutrition, vaccines and lifestyle as key factors for promoting healthy ageing. Dr. Maggi is also an Adjunct Professor in the Graduate Schools of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Padua, which she has been since 2000.

Moreover, Dr. Maggi is the Editor in Chief of “Ageing Clinical and Experimental Research” (Springer) and has more than 800 publications, both in peer-reviewed journals and many book chapters.

Nationality: British 

Position: Respiratory physician and mucosal immunologist, Professor of Experimental Medicine, Imperial College, London

Research fields: Lung immunology, RSV, received a lifetime achievement in work on RSV research (Chanock prize, US, in 2012)

ESWI member since 2008

Peter Openshaw is a respiratory physician and mucosal immunologist, studying how the immune system both protects against viral infection but also causes disease. He has worked on RSV and influenza since the mid-1980s, leading a large Wellcome Trust funded national collaboration: Mechanisms of Severe Acute Influenza Consortium MOSAIC (2009-12), recruiting cases of severe influenza during the influenza pandemic of 2009-2010.

He has run studies of human experimental infection of volunteers for over 12 years and is Director of the MRC-funded HIC-Vac consortium established to promote the use of human experimental infection to accelerate vaccine development for pathogens of high global impact. Furthermore, he served as President of the British Society for Immunology (2013-18) and is a member of the Academy of Medical Sciences–British Society for Immunology expert taskforce on the immunology of COVID-19.

He has been a member of SAGE (2009-12), Chair and now vice-Chair or NERVTAG, a Department of Health committee horizon-scanning for emerging respiratory threats. He is a member of the UK Vaccine Network and several committees and Boards that oversee research on the immunology of respiratory infection.

He is Theme Lead for Infection at the Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Respiratory Infections Section Head within the National Heart and Lung Institute and an NIHR Senior Investigator. He co-leads ISARIC4C, a UK-wide consortium established in 2020 to study the COVID-19 pandemic.

Position: Director of the Center of Infection Medicine and Zoonosis Research and Guest-Professor at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover.

Research fields: Emerging virus infections of humans and animals

Professor Osterhaus is Director of the Center of Infection Medicine and Zoonosis Research at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany, and cofounder/CSO of Viroclinics-DDL BV and ViroNative BV (both spin-outs of Erasmus MC) and CR2O. He was head of the Department of Viroscience at Erasmus MC Rotterdam until 2014.

He has a long track record as a researcher and project leader of numerous major scientific projects. At Erasmus MC, he has run a diagnostic virology lab with more than 40 staff and a research virology lab with over 150 personnel. His research programme follows an integrated “viroscience” concept, bringing together world-leading scientists in molecular virology, immunology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, and intervention studies for human and animal virus infections.

Among his major accomplishments are the discovery of more than 70 new viruses of humans and animals (e.g. human metapneumovirus, coronaviruses, influenza viruses), elucidation of the pathogenesis of major human and animal virus infections, and development of novel intervention strategies. This has enabled health authorities like the WHO to effectively combat disease outbreaks like SARS and avian influenza. The established spin-outs are among his other societally relevant successes, allowing effective testing and refining of diagnostic tools and other intervention strategies.

Professor Osterhaus has acted as mentor for more than 80 PhD students and holds several key patents. He is the author of more than 1300 papers in peer-reviewed journals, together cited more than 75,000 times with an H index of 120. He holds several senior editorships and has received numerous prestigious awards. He is a member of the Dutch and German National Academies of Sciences, member of the Belgium Academia of Medicine, and Commander of the Order of the Dutch Lion.

Dr Falsey is a Professor of Medicine at the University Of Rochester School Of Medicine.
The focus of her research has been clinical and translational research in the field of respiratory viral infections in adults. Dr Falsey received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at Providence College and Doctorate in Medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Strong Memorial Hospital at the University of Rochester and infectious disease fellowship at Yale University and the University of Rochester. Initially the focus of her research was defining the epidemiology and impact of respiratory syncytial virus in adult populations. More recently, Dr Falsey has broadened her research to include numerous viral respiratory pathogens including influenza, coronaviruses, parainfluenza viruses and human metapneumovirus. She has conducted numerous adult surveillance and vaccine studies in a variety of settings including ambulatory older adult clinics, nursing homes and senior daycare centers. She has extensive experience in the development and performance of diagnostic and serologic assays for influenza and other respiratory viruses including cell culture, RT-PCR, EIA and neutralization assays. Dr Falsey has been a standing member of the Clinical Studies and Field Research Study Section and has served as an ad hoc reviewer for numerous NIH study section reviews. She is a member of the steering committee for the Global Influenza Initiative, the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American Virology Society. Dr Falsey has published over 200 peer reviewed articles, reviews, book chapters and abstracts.

Dexter Wiseman is a Clinical Research Fellow at the National Heart and Lung Institute and an Honorary SpR at the Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS trust. He is also a trainee Respiratory and General Internal Medicine physician in the North West London deanery.

As part of his research project Dexter is currently working in Professor Jadwiga 'Wisia' Wedzicha's lab, helping run the London COPD exacerbation cohort. His research interests include viral causes for COPD exacerbation, specifically looking at the role RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) has to play both at exacerbation and during periods of stability.

Dexter is a member of the international consortium RESCEU (REspiratory Syncytial virus Consortium in EUrope) and works closely with Professor Peter Openshaw and Dr Ryan Thwaites investigating the immunological markers of RSV susceptibility in COPD patients.

Dr. Simoes is working with the World Health Organization for the management of common pediatric conditions in developing countries (Integrated Management of Childhood Illness) and studies the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and prevention of the short- and long-term effects of respiratory syncytial virus infection in children. Dr. Simoes has played a significant role in the World Health Organization's initiative to reduce childhood and infant mortality throughout the world with the development of a strategy called "Integrated Management of Childhood Illness." He has worked on this initiative since 1989, including testing and implementing its guidelines in many countries throughout Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Experienced Executive Director with an award winning history of innovation for social change. An experienced NGO leader with an interest in the intersection of health and human rights. My practice focus is on strategy, evaluation, and governance.

Through her leadership at the International Federation on Ageing Dr Barratt strives to influence and help shape policies that impact older people of today and future generations.

Maintaining and building organisational relationships is viewed by Jane as the most critical task in influencing change. She has committed across her career to effectively connect experts from the United Nations, World Health Organization (WHO), government, industry, NGOs and academia to advance critical policy portfolios through the lens of older people.

Jane has an acute sense of organizational management, staff development and the analysis of operations leading to improvements in policies, programs and client outcomes across sectors and disciplines. Her attention to detail is not only a hallmark of her work and career but intensely frustrating at times to her staff and extended network!

Among her many honors Dr Barratt is a Churchill Fellow, and was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in Canada in recognition of her commitment and passion to enhance the understanding of issues relating to ageing and engaging in dialogue with governments and the private sector to improve the quality of life of older people.

She is a strong and passionate contributor to international dialogue on tough age-related policy issues that impact the lives and human rights of older people. As international speaker and facilitator of some repute, Jane has been known to deliver thought provoking sessions that call on audiences to take action.

Dr Barratt represents the IFA at the United Nations Economic and Social Council, is directly responsible for the formal relations with the Ageing and Life Course Department, WHO and holds executive and board positions on ministerial, government and NGOs and on occasions coordinates and leads international research efforts.

Janet A. Englund, MD: Professor of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. My research interests include the study of vaccine-preventable diseases and viral respiratory diseases in young children and immunocompromised hosts, including transplant recipients, as well as the evaluation of antiviral therapy for the prevention and treatment of viral diseases.

As a leader in the field of infectious diseases (ID), respiratory viruses, and infections in children, I have particular interests in assessing the epidemiology of the study of viral infections and assessing vaccine effectiveness.  As a member of the CDC-sponsored New Vaccine Surveillance Network, I work with Dr. Klein to direct protocol development and patient enrollment to assess viral epidemiology and vaccine effectiveness for acute respiratory and gastrointestinal disease.  Our Pediatric ID Research group is actively involved in the follow-up of pregnant women and a longitudinal study of children infected with SARS-CoV-2. Over the past 30 years, I have had extensive experience in initiating, managing, and analyzing clinical trials, vaccine studies, and national and international research protocols, in addition to a track record for successful collaborative research. I have played leadership roles in multicenter, federally-sponsored networks and research trial units, including the NIH-sponsored AIDS Clinical Trials Unit, the Vaccine Treatment and Evaluation Unit, and New Vaccine Surveillance Network (NVSN).  My interest in protecting patients from viral diseases has contributed to national and international policies regarding pediatric immunization with rotavirus and papillomavirus vaccines, and maternal immunization with respiratory syncytial virus, influenza and pertussis vaccines. I am enthusiastic to work to further our understanding of important respiratory and enteric viral infections, and to contribute to controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2. 

Johan Neyts (CV) is full professor of virology at the University of Leuven, Belgium. He teaches virology at the medical school and at the school of dentistry. His lab has a long-standing expertise in the development of antiviral strategies and drugs against emerging and neglected viral infections (such as dengue and other flaviviruses, Chikungunya, enteroviruses, noroviruses, coronaviruses, HEV and rabies). His lab is also intensively involved in the development of antivirals against SARS-CoV2. A second focus of the lab is the development of novel vaccine technologies. To that end the yellow fever vaccine is being used as a vector.  Using this technology the team developed a potent single shot SARS-CoV2 vaccine candidate. The PLLAV (Plasmid Launched Live Attenuated Virus) technology, together with the team of Prof. Kai Dallmeier also developed in his lab, allows to rapidly engineer highly thermostable vaccines against multiple viral pathogens. Johan Neyts is past president of the International Society for Antiviral Research (www.isar-icar.com). He is the co-founder of KU Leuven spin-offs AstriVax www.astrivax.com and Okapi Sciences. Four classes of antivirals discovered in his laboratory have been licensed to major pharmaceutical companies (two on HCV, one on dengue and one on rhino/enteroviruses). He published >625 papers in peer reviewed journals and has given ~300 invited lectures; he is regularly interviewed by lay-press.

I provide epidemiological data on respiratory infections, infectious diseases, antibacterial resistance and rare diseases. The diversity makes my work interesting and fun. For example, I study how a flu virus spreads among the population, the number of flu-related deaths and how effective vaccination is. My research is used in research within Disasters and Environmental Threats and GP Care, among others.

Learning through international comparisons

My projects are mostly international. As a coordinator and researcher of international projects, I find that countries can learn a lot from each other in terms of epidemiology, prevention and control of infectious diseases. I find that very motivating. By making comparisons, I can give better advice and there is greater understanding of the different situations in countries and the solutions chosen.

Director Research Institute SHARE; advisor to WHO, EU & Health Council; scientific advisory boards for / scientific advice to various pharmaceutical industries and consultancies, inclusive some RuG spin-offs; various editorships, inclusive PLoS One, Expert Reviews of Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research, Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology and BMC Health Services Research; assessor for Kenniscentrum (KCE; Belgium); member JCVI; external teacher (for example, Bielefeld, Germany); assessor All Wales Medicines Strategy Group (Grwp Strategaeth Meddyginiaethau Cymru Gyfan), shareholder Health-Ecore; owner Pharmacoeconomics Advice Groningen

I am a clinician-investigator with a passion for translational research in pediatrics and global health. My interest and research focus is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and maternal vaccination. My research has created an overview of vaccine development with an urgent message to make vaccines accessible in the developing world, where the majority of the children die. I aspire to work as a research-oriented clinician scientist in pursuit of an effective low-cost vaccine against RSV.

Solvejg Wallyn is policy coordinator International Health issues at the Flanders Agency for Care and Health. Her primary concern is to ensure that the health and care policy development in Flanders will benefit from bilateral and international exchanges. As policy coordinator she works closely together with the Regions for Health Network of WHO Europe, the European Network for Regional and Local Health Authorities. She is also responsible for the follow up of the work of the EU Commission and Working Groups of the Council.

Professor Terho Heikkinen graduated from the Medical School at the University of Turku in 1984, where he also specialized in Paediatrics and Paediatric Infectious Diseases. He defended his thesis on Development and prevention of acute otitis media in children in 1994. Having received the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases Fellowship Award, he worked in 1996-1998 as a post-doc Research Fellow at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, USA. Subsequently, he worked as a Senior Clinical Researcher and Clinical Lecturer at the Department of Paediatrics, University of Turku. Since 2016, he has been Professor of Paediatrics at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku.

During the years, Terho Heikkinen has served as the chairman or a board member of several international and domestic societies in the field of paediatric infectious diseases, including the President of the World Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases. He is currently a board member of the European Scientific Working Group on Influenza (ESWI), a scientific advisory board and executive committee member of the global Respiratory Syncytial Virus Network (ReSViNET), and the chairman of the Nordic Research Network for Paediatric Infectious Diseases (NORDPID).

MD, DMSc, EIS, MPG, Public Health Specialist, Director of Clinical Research.

Background in public health, virology and epidemiology- specialized in virus epidemics. Professor at Univ. of Copenhagen, Denmark in Public Health, Virus Infections and Epidemics.
Prev. positions incl.: Dir. of the National WHO Influenza Centre & WHO Reference Labs for Measles, Rubella & Polio. Sen. Consultant and Head of the Virology Surv. and Research Unit at Statens Serum Institut (SSI), Staff specialist (inf. diseases & health system strengthening) & Acting Head of Int. Affairs at Nat. Board of Health, Resident in intern medicine at Rigshospitalet, Epi researcher at SSI, Denmark (PhD student and postdoc: epi. research incl. mathematical modelling of epidemics and vaccine efficacy), Virology researcher (cultivation, PCR, cloning and sequencing) and EIS (outbreak investigations: response/control of epidemics), CDC, Atlanta, USA and supervisor of Gastro Section at National Public Health Laboratory in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau.
(Co-)authoring >200 peer-reviewed publications (H-index: 42).
National representations for the European Center of Disease Prevention & Control (ECDC):
National Microbiology Focal Point (2012-2018)
National coordinator of the EU Progr. for Public Health Microb. training (EUPHEM) (2012-18)
Member of the Mol. Typing Task Force (2015-18)
Member of the ESCAIDE Scientific Committee (2012-17)
Main research focuses are related to pub. health applied virology incl. surveillance, epidemic control and vaccinology.
Leadership competencies & interests strengthend with a master in public governance at Cph Business School, (thesis "Benchmarking as budget-control tool at public hospitals").

Specialties:

• Member of The Royal Danish Academy of Sciences & Letters (2018)
• Master in Public Governance (2017)
• Professor (Adj SDU) Inf. Dis. & Global Health (2014)
• Public Health Specialist (2010)
• DMSc/Dr med (virology & epidemiology) 2002)
• Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer (EISO) (2003)
• MD (1994)