We are delighted to welcome five new members to the ISRV Council, representing diverse regions and areas of expertise in respiratory virus research
Top row (left to right): Carolien Van de Sandt, Nancy Awuor Otieno
Centre: Mariana Viegas
Bottom row (left to right): Marina Vineta Paramo, María de la Montaña Iglesias Caballero
Dr Nancy Awuor Otieno (Kenya)
Principal Research Scientist, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)
Reserved seat: Africa
Dr Otieno leads surveillance and public health research in infectious diseases across Kenya. Her work focuses on influenza, RSV, malaria, and maternal vaccine uptake. As President of the African Network for Influenza Surveillance and Epidemiology (ANISE), she advocates for regional collaboration and capacity building.
María de la Montaña Iglesias Caballero (Spain)
National Reference Laboratory for Respiratory Viruses, Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Reserved seat: Early Career
A molecular virologist specialising in the genomic and antigenic characterisation of respiratory viruses, María has helped establish Spain as a global leader in RSV genomic surveillance. Her work integrates laboratory innovation with national and international collaboration to strengthen molecular surveillance capacity.
Dr Carolien Van de Sandt (Australia)
Senior Research Fellow, University of Melbourne and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
Dr Van de Sandt is an expert in viral and ageing immunology. She has received multiple international awards and is known for her commitment to early career researcher engagement and public outreach. She played a key role in organising the Options XII conference for the control of influenza in 2024 and continues to contribute to the ISRV Education Committee.
Dr Mariana Viegas (Argentina)
Independent Researcher, CONICET / Universidad Nacional de La Plata
Reserved seat: South America
Dr Viegas coordinates the Genomics and Molecular Diagnostics Area at UNLP and has led major national and international genomic surveillance initiatives, including the Argentine SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium. Her research spans phylogenetics, viral evolution, and public health integration, strengthening global and regional collaboration.
Marina Vineta Paramo (Canada)
PhD Candidate, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia
Reserved seat: Early Career
A physician and early career researcher, Marina’s work focuses on RSV burden and prevention in children. Her findings have informed public health policy in British Columbia, and she is dedicated to promoting trainee engagement and collaboration within the ISRV community.
The ISRV warmly congratulates all newly elected Council members and looks forward to working with them to advance global collaboration, innovation, and capacity building in respiratory virus research
