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Schools of Respiratory Viruses

Overview Summer School on Influenza (First edition) at the University of Siena, Italy Summer School on Influenza (Second edition of ISIRV’s Summer School) at the University of Siena, Italy School of Influenza 2016 (Third Edition) University of Siena, Italy 4th Edition of the School of Respiratory Viruses]** ISIRV Respiratory Virus School at the Christian Medical College (Fifth edition) The 6th ISIRV School of Respiratory Viruses, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar Downloadable Reports

Overview

Schools of Respiratory Viruses are held all over the world. They are educational events aimed at graduate students and early career scientists who are starting, or in the early stages of a career in influenza, public health, surveillance, research or product development. Schools provide a comprehensive preparatory background to maximise understanding of the topics covered as well as opportunity for networking with other early career respiratory scientists and speakers who are world experts in their fields of research.

ISRV School Q&A

Summer School on Influenza (First edition) at the University of Siena, Italy
1–5 August 2011 – University of Siena, Italy

Co‑chaired by Emanuele Montomoli (Univ. of Siena, Italy) and Lars Haaheim (Univ. of Bergen, Norway).

35 attendees from Australia, Europe, Egypt, India, Senegal, South America, USA.

Five-day intensive course in 8 thematic modules; Societal impact of influenza; Global surveillance & prevention; Human & animal influenza; Pathogenesis; Immunology; Vaccines; Antivirals and Regulatory issues.

Faculty Highlights: Over 20 expert lecturers from top institutions

Social & Networking: Evening receptions and Tuscany visits offered immersive networking and cultural experiences.

Participants praised Siena’s beauty and the school as ideal for informal interactions.

Lars Haaheim passed away just months before the event; his contributions were honoured through tributes and  the Lars Haaheim Travel Fellowship in his memory.

Session/Theme Title Speaker (Affiliation)
Day 1: 1 August 2011
Introduction Welcome and Opening Remarks Emanuele Montomoli (University of Siena, Italy):

Jackie Katz (CDC, Atlanta, USA):
Theme 1: Societal Impact History and societal impact Christopher W. Potter (University of Sheffield Medical School, UK – retired)
Global influenza epidemiology and surveillance Lyn Finelli (CDC, Atlanta, USA)
Theme 2: Global Surveillance and Prevention Influenza epidemiology Roberto Gasparini (University of Genova, Italy)
Vaccination policy Geert Leroux-Roels (University of Ghent, Belgium)
Virological surveillance and genotyping Olav Hungnes (Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway)
Day 2: 2 August 2011
Theme 3: Human and Animal Influenza Viral structure and replication Sylvie Van der Werf (Institut Pasteur, Paris, France)
Animal influenza Giovanni Cattoli (IZSVe, Padova, Italy)
Theme 4: Pathogenesis Human influenza Karl G. Nicholson (University of Leicester, UK)
Spanish flu Alan Hay (NIMR, London, UK)
Molecular determinants of pathogenicity Hans Dieter Klenk (University of Marburg, Germany)
Day 3: 3 August 2011
Theme 5: Immunology Basic immunology Jackie Katz (CDC, Atlanta, USA)
Adjuvants Rino Rappuoli (Novartis Vaccines, Siena, Italy)
Theme 6: Vaccines Epidemiology of seasonal and pandemic vaccination David S. Fedson (Sergy Haut, France)
Inactivated vaccines Otfried Kistner (Baxter Innovation GmbH)
Day 4: 4 August 2011
Theme 6: Vaccines Live attenuated vaccines John Treanor (University of Rochester Medical Center, USA)
New platforms for vaccine production Alan Shaw (VaxInnate Corporation, Cranbury, USA)
Theme 7: Antivirals Anti-influenza (M2 and NA) drugs Alan Hay (NIMR, London, UK)
New and old drugs David S. Fedson (Sergy Haut, France)
Remarks on Pandemic 2009 Severity and lessons learned Angus Nicoll (ECDC, Stockholm, Sweden)
Day 5: 5 August 2011
Theme 8: Regulatory Issues Licensing requirements – a personal perspective John Wood (NIBSC, UK – retired)
Correlates of protection Rebecca J. Cox (University of Bergen, Norway)
Regulatory challenges Bettie CG Voordouw (Medicines Evaluation Board, Netherlands)
Closing Remarks Summary and farewell

Summer School on Influenza (Second edition of ISIRV’s Summer School) at the University of Siena, Italy
16-20 July 2012 – University of Siena, Italy

Co‑chaired by Emanuele Montomoli (University of Siena, Italy) Jackie Katz (CDC, USA), and John Wood Lars (NIBSC, UK).

35 participants from across the globe—including Australia, Europe, Egypt, Senegal, India, the Philippines, South America, and the USA. Honouring his legacy, seven Lars Haaheim Scholarships were awarded to students from developing countries, as well as generous support from the ISIRV Antiviral Group and the Wellcome Trust.

Five-day intensive with attendees received a comprehensive introduction to influenza, encompassing key concepts, laboratory methods, and real-world applications. There were 7 core themes; History, Epidemiology, and Ecology of Influenza; Prevention and Control; Virology and Pathogenesis; Immunity to Influenza; Influenza Vaccines;

Interactive group discussions, lab demonstrations, student posters and networking.

Faculty Highlights: 25 expert lecturers from leading institutions.

Theme Session / Title Speaker & Affiliation
Day 1: 16 July 2012
Welcome & Introduction Emanuele Montomoli (University of Siena),

John Wood (NIBSC, UK),

Jackie Katz (CDC, USA)
Theme 1: History, Epidemiology & Ecology Medical and social impact of pandemics from 1918-2009 John Oxford (Retroscreen)
Global influenza epidemiology and surveillance Lyn Finelli (CDC, USA)
Special Seminar Vaccination: past, present and future Rino Rappuoli (Novartis)
Special Topic Lessons learned from the Pandemic 2009 – the ECDC Perspective Angus Nicoll (ECDC)
Theme 1 History, Epidemiology & Ecology (continued) Animal influenza Giovanni Cattoli (IZS Venezie, Italy)
Student Presentations Arguelles, Borborema, Broberg, Meseko, Etschmeier, Fragaszy
Day 2: 17 July 2012
Theme 2: Prevention and Control Virological diagnosis and surveillance Olav Hungnes (Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway)
Influenza disease burden and vaccination policies Jon Van Tam (University of Nottingham, UK)
Effectiveness of vaccines and antivirals John Treanor (University of Rochester Medical Center, USA)
Theme 3: Virology and Pathogenesis Virus structure and replication Sylvie Van der Werf (Institut Pasteur, Paris, France)
Pathogenesis and host range Hans Dieter Klenk (University of Marburg, Germany):
Transmissibility and the influence of the host Wendy Barclay (Imperial College, London, UK)
Day 3: 18 July 2012
Theme 4: Immunity to Influenza Human influenza management Karl Nicholson (UK)
The immune response to influenza infection Jackie Katz (CDC, USA)
Immune correlates of protection against influenza Rebecca JCox (University of Bergen, Norway)
Theme 5: Influenza vaccines Inactivated vaccines Otfried Kistner (Baxter Innovation GmbH)
Live attenuated vaccines John Treanor (University of Rochester Medical Center, USA)
Plant-based influenza vaccines Nathalie Landry (Médicago Inc., Québec, Canada
Day 4: 19 July 2012
Theme 6: Antivirals & Therapies Redox-regulated intracellular pathways as new potential targets for anti-influenza drugs Anna Teresa Palamara (Sapienza University of Rome, Italy)
Treating the host response in severe disease David S. Fedson (Sergy Haut, France
Influenza antivirals Alan Hay (National Institute for Medical Research, London, UK)
Theme 7: Regulatory Practices and challenges Regulatory challenges for influenza vaccines

 

 

 Leonoor  Wijnans ((Medicines Evaluation Board, The Netherlands):
Student Presentations Kumar, Kurz, Moorthy, Newitt, Perini, Sacramento, Tabinov, Vaccari
Day 5: 20 July 2012
Theme 7: regulatory practices and challenges (continued) Licensing & standardisation John Wood (National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Hertfordshire, UK – retired)
theme 5: influenza vaccines (continued) New vaccine technologies Alan Shaw (VaxInnate Corporation, Cranbury, USA)
Closing Remarks

School of Influenza 2016 (Third Edition) University of Siena, Italy
11 -15 April 2016 – University of Siena, Italy

Organisers: Emanuele Montomoli (University of Siena, Italy), John Wood (NIBSC, UK) , Jackie Katz (CDC, USA), Rebecca Cox (University of Bergen, Norway)

Participants: 65 young scientists, 6 Lars Haaheim scholarships awarded from Nigeria, India, Russia, Poland, Brazil, and Vietnam

Program consisted of the main themes of Societal impact, Global influenza surveillance and prevention, Human and animal influenza, Pathogenesis, Immunology, Vaccines, Antivirals and Regulatory Issues.

Theme Session/Title Name (Affiliations)
Day 1: 11 April 2016
Influenza virology/immunology :Welcome, introduction and Emanuele Montomoli (University of Siena, Italy)

John Wood (NIBSC, UK – retired)

Lance Jennings (University of Otago, New Zealand)

Jackie Katz( CDC, USA)
Virus structure, replication, pathogenesis/transmissibility Wendy Barclay (Imperial College, UK)
Immune response to influenza Jackie Katz (CDC, USA)
Day 2: 12 April 2018
Epidemiology & ecology Detection methods Olav Hungnes (Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway)
Animal influenza, emerging strains, GISAID analysis Isabella Monne (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Italy)
Pandemic impacts and disease burden: Jonathan Van Tam (University of Nottingham, UK)
Student presentations
Prevention and Control Immune protection correlates Emanuele Montomoli (University of Siena, Italy)
Vaccine virus selection John Wood (NIBSC, UK)
Vaccine strategies Lance Jennings (University of Otago, New Zealand)
Day 3: 13 April  2016
Vaccines Inactivated vaccines Otfried Kistner (Independent Vaccine Expert, Austria)
Pandemic and live vaccines Rebecca Cox (University of Bergen, Norway)
Vaccine effectiveness Alicia Fry (CDC, USA)
Regulatory challenges Jerry Weir (FDA, USA)
Neuraminidase role Ralf Wagner (Paul-Ehrlich Institute, Germany)
Student presentations
Day 4: 14 April 2016
Novel therapeutic strategies Antiviral effectiveness Alicia Fry (CDC, USA)
Resistance mechanisms Aeron Hurt (WHO Influenza Collaborating Centre, Australia)
Monoclonal antibodies Davide Corti (Humabs BioMed SA, Switzerland)
Pandemic preparedness Pandemic preparedness Chloe Sellwood (NHS, UK)
Pandemic preparedness workshop Led by Chloe Sellwood (NHS, UK)
Epidemiology and Ecology of Influenza Viruses Epidemiological influenza surveillance Mark Miller (NIH, USA)
Day 5: 15 April 2016
Guest Lectures Pseudotype immunogenicity testing Nigel Temperton (The University of Kent at Medway, UK)
Universal flu vaccines Albert Osterhaus (University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany)
Influenza—past, present & future Maria Zambon (Public Health England, UK)
Closing session & diploma ceremony

4th Edition of the School of Respiratory Viruses]**
7–11 May 2018 – American University of Beirut, Lebanon

Organisers: Hassan Zaraket American University of Beirut, John Wood (NIBSC, UK) , Jackie Katz (CDC, USA), Rebecca Cox (University of Bergen, Norway)

Participants: 74 students from Lebanon and 20 other countries across the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Europe, Latin America, Africa, and South-East Asia

Lars Haaheim Travel scholarship supported 4 students. Wellcome Trust supported four student travel awards. WHO EMRO and SEARO regional offices supported their personnel attendance.

The five day School  focused on influenza and MERS-CoV, including epidemiology and transmission dynamics, virology and genetic characterization, diagnostic techniques, prevention and control strategies, vaccination and immune response and pandemic preparedness and management as well as pandemic preparedness simulation exercise, laboratory rotations in influenza virus research techniques. Nine students presented their own research.

The School was accredited European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME) providing  31 European CME credits (ECMEC).

Faculty highlights: 21 local, regional, and international leading expert speakers

Social school dinner

Student feedback was overwhelmingly positive with 88% of students** found the talks either “useful” or “extremely useful”. High praise for international faculty and networking opportunities. A highlight was the role-playing exercise described as both was fun and very informative.

Session/ Theme Title Speaker (Affiliation)
Day 1: 7 May 2018
Welcome and Introduction to the School and isirv Hassan Zaraket (American University of Beirut, Lebanon) John Wood (NIBSC, UK – retired)
Welcome to the American University of Beirut Mohammad Sayegh (American University of Beirut, Lebanon)
Introduction of Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology Ghazi Zaatari (American University of Beirut, Lebanon)
Epidemiology and Ecology Human influenza, burden of disease Hassan Zaraket (American University of Beirut, Lebanon)
Influenza in the Eastern Mediterranean region Mamunur Rahman Malik (Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office, WHO, Egypt)
SARI surveillance Lebanon Nada Ghosn (Ministry of Public Health, Lebanon)
Outpatient influenza surveillance in Lebanon Ghassan Dbaibo (American University of Beirut, Lebanon)
Animal influenza Isabella Monne (OIE reference laboratory / FAO reference centre for avian influenza and Newcastle disease, Italy)
Influenza at the human animal interface Richard Webby (WHO Collaborating Center for Studies on the Ecology of Influenza in Animals and Birds, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, USA)
MERS-CoV, influenza and Hajj: burden and challenges Ziad Memish (Alfaisal University, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia; Emory University, USA)
MERS-CoV surveillance and ecology Ziad Memish (Alfaisal University, Ministry of Health, KSA; Emory University, USA)
Virology Influenza virus structure, replication, and pathogenesis Maria Zambon (Public Health England, UK)
MERS-CoV structure, replication, and pathogenesis Stanley Perlman (University of Iowa, USA)
Day 2: 8 May 2018
Diagnosis and Analysis tools Genetic databases and analysis tools (NCBI and GISAID) Isabella Monne (OIE reference laboratory / FAO reference centre for avian influenza and Newcastle disease, Italy)
Influenza and MERS-CoV Diagnostic tools: current and future perspectives Maria Zambon (Public Health England, UK)
Prevention and Control: Vaccines I Influenza vaccines John Wood (Formerly NIBSC, UK)
The immune response to influenza infections and immune correlates of protection Ali Ellebedy (Washington University, USA)
Influenza vaccine virus selection process John Wood (Formerly NIBSC, UK)
Role of host immune responses in protection, in immunopathological disease and in diagnosis in patients and experimentally infected animals with MERS-CoV. Stanley Perlman (University of Iowa, USA)
Original antigenic sin and antibody responses to drifted influenza viruses Joshy Jacob (Emory University, USA)
Students’ Presentations
Day 3: 9 May 2018
Prevention and Control: Vaccines II Effectiveness of inactivated influenza vaccines Ghassan Dbaibo (American University of Beirut, Lebanon)
Vaccines and strategy implementation  George Kassianos (Royal College of General Practitioners, UK)
Students’ Presentations
Prevention and Control: Vaccines II Universal influenza vaccines  Hadi Yassine (Qatar University, Qatar
Influenza vaccine policies and implementation in the EMR Nada Melhem (American University of Beirut, Lebanon)
Challenges in the Diagnostics & Prevention Strategies of MERS-CoV Ziad Memish (Alfaisal University, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia; Emory University, USA)
Regulatory challenges for influenza vaccines Ralf Wagner (Paul Ehrlich Institute, Germany)
Therapeutic Strategies Mechanisms of action and resistance of antivirals Hassan Zaraket (American University of Beirut, Lebanon)
Effectiveness of live-attenuated influenza vaccines Alicia Fry (CDC, USA)
Social event- Beit Ward Restaurant, Rawche
Therapeutic Strategies II Harnessing ancient innate immune mediators to combat modern day pathogens Joshy Jacob (Emory University, USA)
Student presentations
  Treating influenza with neuraminidase inhibitors Jonathan Van Tam (Deputy Chief Medical Officer, England)
  Update on avian influenza viruses in human and birds in Egypt Ghazi Kayali (Human Link, Lebanon)

 
Pandemic Preparedness/ Lab Practice Pandemic preparedness Chloe Sellwood (NHS, UK)
Pandemic preparedness workshop Led by Chloe Sellwood (NHS, UK)
Laboratory practice Virus isolation in eggs and cells; titration; detection– CIDR lab
Day 5: 9 May 2018
Guest Lectures: Research Workshop Prevention and Care of Respiratory Virus Infections in Immunocompromised Children

 

 Miguela Caniza (St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, USA)

 
Immunogenicity testing using viral pseudo-types Hadi Yassine (Qatar University, Qatar
Broadening vaccine efficacy: harnessing the HA stalk immune response Ali Ellebedy (Washington University, USA)

 
New avenues for antiviral discovery Hassan Zaraket (American University of Beirut, Lebanon)
Keynote Speaker How to prevent a major disease outbreak –from SARS to MERS Ab Osterhaus (Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonosis, Germany Erasmus University, Netherlands)
Influenza in the past, present and future Ab Osterhaus (Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonosis, Germany, Erasmus University, Netherlands)
Closing Remarks

ISIRV Respiratory Virus School at the Christian Medical College (Fifth edition)
14-18 November 2022 – Vellore, India

Co‑chaired by Gangandeep (Cherry) Kang (Christian Medical College (CMC), India), Kanta Subbarao (WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research in Influenza, Australia), John Wood (NIBSC, UK) and Rebecca Cox (University of Bergen, Norway

59 participants majority for India and international students from Argentina, Brazil, Bangladesh, Belgium, Nigeria

Five-day intensive program with two cross cutting themes on viral respiratory pathogens. Comprehensive focus  with key virological concepts, laboratory methods, and real-world applications on influenza, RSV and SARS-CoV-2. Student presentations and daily interactive student activities, lab demonstrations, and networking.

Daily ‘social problem’ exercise with teaching faculty to encourage networking and social program visiting the Vellore Fort, Golden Temple, college climb, and school dinner.

Faculty Highlights: leading Indian and international expert provided lecturers and interactive training.

The feedback commented on the excellent teaching programme of both lectures and interactive sessions, and the teaching faculty was first class. Students commented on how privileged they were to attend and how enjoyable the school was.

Day 1: 14 November 2022
Welcome and opening of School Gagandeep Kang (CMC, India)

Rebecca Cox

(University of Bergen, Norway)
Ice breaker session-Matching game
Cross-cutting themes Global impact of respiratory viruses Maria Zambon UK Health Security Agency, UK)
Virological and genomic surveillance of respiratory viruses Kanta Subbarao (WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research in Influenza, Australia)
Respiratory viruses at the animal/human interface Malik Pieris (University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)
Clinical presentation and disease burden of respiratory virus infections Chris Chiu (Imperial College, UK)
Diagnostic tools for respiratory virus infections Mahesh Moorthy (Christian Medical College, India)
Visit to Clinical Virology, Clinical Microbiology and Wellcome Laboratories
Visit to Vellore Fort
Day 2: 15 November 2022 
Recap from student representative
EU India projects New influenza vaccine initiatives in India Representatives INDIGO INCENTIVE ENDFLU
Influenza Virus Seasonal and pandemic influenza: antigenic variation and epidemiology- Malik Pieris (The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)
Viral structure and replication Wendy Barclay (Imperial College, UK)
Influenza Vaccines Kanta Subbarao (WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research in Influenza, Australia)
Universal flu vaccines and learnings for pancoronavirus vaccines Barney Graham (Morehouse School of Medicine, USA)
Quiz for students
Antivirals Maria Zambon (UK Health Security Agency, UK)
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Impact of RSV Chris Chiu (Imperial College, UK)
RSV vaccine development, including viral structure Barney Graham (Morehouse School of Medicine, USA)
Human challenge model for respiratory viruses Chris Chiu (Imperial College, UK)
Visit to Golden Temple
Day 3:16 November 2022
Recap from student representative
STUDENT PRESENTATIONS Chaired by John Wood
SARS-CoV-2 Viral structure and replication/Coronavirus Biology Leo Poon (The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)
Impact of SARS-CoV-2 – the COVID-19 pandemic Soumya Swaminathan (India)
Long Covid and post-infectious sequelae Rebecca Cox

(University of Bergen, Norway)
Antivirals Maria Zambon (UK Health Security Agency, UK)
Analysis of SARS-CoV2 data from Vellore Winsley Rose/Venkat Raghava
Student activity: Statistical exercise Goundappa K. Balasubramani
School dinner: Hillside Resort
Day 4: 17 November 2022
Recap from student representative
Cross-Cutting Themes Immunology of respiratory virus infections Rafi Ahmed (Emory University, USA)
Correlates of protective immunity Rebecca Cox (University of Bergen, Norway)
Genetic databases and analysis Sebastian Maurer Stroh, GSAID
Student workshop on phylogenetic analysis Sebastian Maurer Strohn GSAID
Role of the National Institute of Virology Priya Abraham, (National Institute of Virology, India)
Round table: Public health strategies for control of the COVID-19 pandemic and lessons learned Moderated by Priya Abraham-Faculty
Climb College Hill
Day 5: 18 November 2022
Recap from student representative
Cross-Cutting Themes Journal Club presentations with faculty
Development of a national vaccination policy Rakesh Aggarwa (Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), India)
Vaccine safety and effectiveness Goundappa K. Balasubramani (University of Pittsburgh, USA)
Communication and misinformation in a pandemic Gagandeep Kang

(Christian Medical College, India)
Student activity: Communication strategy Jude Jayamaha/Thomas Abraham
Student exercise: SPOT THE PROBLEM (Vaccine development/Surveillance/Vaccine effectiveness) Moderator: Jacob John
Presentation of certificates and closing remarks John Wood (NIBSC, UK) Rebecca Cox (University of Bergen, Norway)

ISIRV Scholars Photographs 

Scholarship recipients 17 from Christian Medical College and 7 Lars Haaheim scholarships.

Row 1 (TOP:Left to right)-  Gagandeep Kang, Yadhu Sharma, Farha Salim, Srinigila B, Arya U M,  John Wood

Row 2 (Middle: left to right)- Dhiraj Agarwal, Sara Khaleeq, Vivek Vijay, Manish, Aneesh B, Lekshmi V S, Abhila Asi, Nisha Bhandari, Priya P, Chippy P S, Megha Chandran, Soorya S Kumar

Row 3   (Bottom: left to right)-  Rebecca Cox, Meenakshi Mohan S. Karthika S Nair, Binod Kumar, Nishi Kumari, Nidhi Mittal, Swathi Krishna N, Soundarya R H, Kanupriya Vashishth

*               ISIRV Lars Haaheim Fellowship scholars names are marked in red/bold.  Other scholars were supported by the Christian Medical College, Vellore.

ISIRV School Photographs

The 6th ISIRV School of Respiratory Viruses, Qatar University, Doha Qatar
19-23 January – 2025 Biomedical Research Centre and WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Capacity Building on Emerging and Re-emerging Zoonotic Diseases at Qatar University, Qatar

Partners: Qatar University, WHO EMRO and Gulf CDC

Organisers: Hadi Yassine (Qatar University) and Rebecca Cox (University of Bergen)

Participants 45 Qatar based students and 76 international participants from Bahrain, Germany, India, Iraq, Kenya, Kuwait, Malaysia, Norway, Russia and Saudi Arabia

ISIRV supported 44 international participants from Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen.

Program offered an intensive program of world class keynote lectures ofeering insights into latest research and two expert panels on influenza, coronaviruses (SARS and MERS), and RSV with a strong focus on human, animal-/one health and outbreak/pandemic preparedness. Three student oral and poster presentation sessions and a daily student recap of the previous day ensured good student interactions.

Faculty: leading regional and international experts provide keynote lectures and panel debates.

Excellent networking opportunities with ice breaker session, and a gala dinner encouraging informal networking and collaboration within the region. School received very positive feedback, and many students established new contacts within the region.

Theme Session/ Title Speaker(s) & Affiliation
Day 1: 19 January 2025
Cross-cutting Respiratory Viruses Welcome Addresses Aiman Mahmood Erbad (Qatar University (QU), Qatar)

Asmaa Ali Al‑Thani (QU, Qatar)

Hamad Eid Al‑Romaihi (Ministry of Public Health, Qatar)

Rebecca J. Cox (University of Bergen, Norway)
Global & Regional Impact Pasi Penttinen (Gulf CDC)
Global Surveillance (EMRO) Amal Barakat (WHO EMRO)
Clinical Presentation & Diagnostics Peter Coyle (Hamad Medical Corporation & QU, Qatar).
Treatment of Severe Disease Ali Hssain (Hamad General Hospital, Qatar)
Correlates of Protection & Immuno‑Assays Emanuele Montomoli (University of Siena & VisMederi, Italy)
Environmental Surveillance Khaled A. Mahmoud (QEERI, HBKU, Qatar)
Academia–Industry in Biomedicine Faleh T. Marino (QU; Qatar, McGill University, Canada)
Panel Discussion Emanuele Montomoli, Faleh Marino,

Hassan Zaraket (Roche, UK)
Day 2: 20 January 2025
Influenza Virus Seasonal & Pandemic Influenza Maria Zambon (UK Health Security Agency, UK)
Viral Structure & Replication Hadi Yassine (QU, Qatar)
Influenza Antivirals Hassan Zaraket (Roche; UK)
Next-Gen Influenza Vaccines Rebecca Cox (University of Bergen, Norway)
Epidemiological Study Design Sheena Sullivan (Monash University; Australia, WHO EMRO, )
Emerging Influenza Issues Mark Tompkins (University of Georgia, USA)
HPAI Avian Influenza Rabeh El‑Shesheny (NRC, Egypt)
Day 3: 21 January 2025
RSV & SARS‑CoV‑2 RSV Disease & Vaccines Ultan Power (Queen’s University Belfast, UK)
SARS‑CoV‑2 Structure Hadi Yassine (QU, Qatar)
Antivirals for SARS‑CoV‑2 Cameron Wolfe (Duke University, USA)
Vaccine Efficacy & Epidemiology Hiam Chemaitelly (Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar)
Day 4: 22 January 2025
MERS & One Health MERS from A to Z Ziad Memish (King Saud Medical City, Saudi Arabia)
Panel on Mass Gatherings Hamad Al‑Romaihi (Ministry of Public Health, Qatar)

Ziad Memish (King Saud Medical City, Saudi Arabia)

Maria Zambon (UKHSA, UK)
One Health in EMR Ghazi Kayali (Human Link, Lebanon)
Animal-Human Interface Erik Karlsson (Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Cambodia)
Day 5: 23 January 2025
Epidemic Preparedness Immunity at Human Interface Sook‑San Wong (University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)
One Health Challenges Yasser Sanad (FHI 360; University of Arkansas, USA)
Future Perspectives Maria Zambon (UKHSA, UK)
Closing Remarks Hadi Yassine,

Rebecca Cox,

Maria Zambon

The 6th School attendees and some of the teaching faculty

 

ISIRV supported attendees and teaching staff