OVERVIEW
After two successful Summer Schools of Influenza held in 2011 and 2012, the University of Siena and isirv organised the third edition of the School of Influenza from 11th -15th April 2016 in the beautiful medieval town of Siena (Italy).
65 young scientists from five continents gathered to spend one intense week of seminars and workshops led by world-renowned scientists in influenza.
20 distinguished speakers from around the world covered key elements of influenza that a young scientist needs to know: epidemiology and ecology (Olav Hungnes; Jackie Katz; Mark Miller; Isabella Monne; Jonathan Van Tam); virology and immunology (Wendy Barclay; Jackie Katz); prevention and control (Lance Jennings; Emanuele Montomoli; John Wood); vaccines (Rebecca Cox; Alicia Fry; Otfried Kistner; Jerry Weir; Ralf Wagner); novel therapeutics strategies (Davide Corti; Alicia Fry; Aeron Hurt); pandemic preparedness (Chloe Sellwood). Three guest lectures on the last day examined in depth the current state of the art of influenza research (Albert Osterhaus; Nigel Temperton; Maria Zambon).
All the students were involved in an afternoon workshop on pandemic preparedness led by Chloe Sellwood and Jonathan Van-Tam, and most of them gave a presentation on their own work.
As in the 2012 edition, participation of some students from developing countries was supported by means of a "Lars Haaheim Travel Fellowship". This was in memory of Lars Haaheim - one of the founder members of isirv and a strong advocate of the "School of Influenza" concept - and was made possible through a generous donation from Lars’ widow Vigdis.
The Fellowship Committee received 56 high quality applications from all over the world and 8 fellowships were awarded to cover the awardees' registration fee in the School, travel costs, accommodation and subsistence.
Six of these eight students could take part in the School of Influenza: Chinonyerem Chinyere (Nigeria); Anitha Jagadesh (India); Olga Kurskaya (Russia); Agnieszka Maciola (Poland); Luciana Pádua Tavares (Brazil); Le Thi Thanh (Viet Nam).
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