Keynote Speakers

Professor Dr. Klaus Osterriede, President of the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany

Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, Department of Plant Protection, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil

Professor the director of the Ignaz Semmelweis Institute and the director of the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Science Communication and Pandemic Preparedness at the Medical University of Vienna.

Professor and Chair in Molecular Virology, Director of Viral Pseudotype Unit, University of Kent, UK

Director (R&D), Nitte University, Director, UNESCO MIRCEN for Medical & Marine Biotechnology & Nitte University Center for Science Education and Research, India

Full professor of Virology at the University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium, Member WHO Development Group for Dengue Antivirals

George H. Kitzman Professor of Genetics and Division Chief of Cellular & Molecular Therapy in the Departments of Pediatrics, and Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, and Powell Gene Therapy Center at the University of Florida College of Medicine, in Gainesville, Florida, USA.

Professor, Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Rabat, Morocco

Head of the Virus & Immunity Unit at Pasteur Institute, Former president of the Scientific Council of Pasteur Institute Pasteur (2009-2011) and former director of the Virology Department (2012-2014)

Director, Clinical Research Center of the National Institute of Biomedical Research Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Global Health at the National Institute of Biomedical Research, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Higgins Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University, USA

Maria Van Kerkhove is a distinguished leader in global health, currently serving as the Acting Director of the Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Threat Management at the World Health Organization (WHO). She has played critical roles as COVID-19 Technical Lead, Emergency Manager, and Global Incident Manager during the 2024 mpox outbreak, declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). With over two decades of experience in infectious disease epidemiology, Dr. Van Kerkhove has led responses to COVID-19, Ebola, Zika, MERS, avian influenza, and mpox. A strategic thinker bridging research, policy, and practice, she is widely recognized for her leadership in strengthening global health systems and international collaboration. Her work continues to shape health policy and preparedness, ensuring a rigorous, coordinated response to emerging threats. Beyond her technical expertise, Dr. Van Kerkhove has been a calming presence during global crises, providing clear, science-backed guidance to leaders, health officials, and communities. Her ability to translate complex data into actionable recommendations has been instrumental in mitigating public health threats. Her research focuses on zoonotic disease transmission at the human-animal interface, ensuring scientific discoveries inform policy and response efforts, particularly in high-risk settings. Dr. Van Kerkhove holds a PhD in infectious disease epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She completed undergraduate studies at Cornell University and graduate work at Stanford University Medical School. Before joining WHO, she led the Outbreak Investigation Task Force at Institut Pasteur’s Center for Global Health in Paris and held senior fellowships at Imperial College London’s MRC Center for Outbreak Analysis and Modelling. Earlier, she worked as an epidemiologist in Cambodia at Institut Pasteur.

Director - Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases , University Distinguished Professor at KSU Director - Center on Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, A NIH Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE)