Education

• 1982 ~ 1987 PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Biology)
• 1977 ~ 1979 MS, KAIST (Biological Engineering)
• 1973 ~ 1977 BS, Seoul National University (Pharmacy)

Experience

• 2020 ~ Present Director General, Vaccine Innovative Technology ALliance (VITAL)-Korea
• 2023 ~ Present Chairman, Korea Advanced Center for Vaccine Development (KAVAD)
• 2022 ~ 2024 Chair, Division of Biotechnology, Science & Technology Advisory Board, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Korean Government
• 2022 ~ 2023 Chair, Infectious Disease R&D Organizations Council
• 2020 ~ 2023 Chair, COVID-19 Vaccine Pan-Government Strategic Plan, Korean Government
• 2021 ~ 2023 Member, Presidential Advisory Council of Science and Technology (PACST)
• 2013 ~ 2018 Director, Vaccine Translational Research Center
• 2001 ~ 2009 CEO, Protheon
• 1999 ~ 2002 Representative, Ad Hoc Group Meeting, Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) UN Conference
• 1998 ~ 2020 Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei Univ
• 1993 ~ 1998 Director, Institute of Biological Sciences, Hanhyo Institute of Technology
• 1992 ~ 1993 Scientist, Aviron, USA
• 1988 ~ 1992 Post-doc, University of Oxford, UK
• 1979 ~ 1982 Scientist, Korea Institute of Science and Technolog

Education

• 1995 ~ 2000 University of Chicago (BA in Economics)
• 2001 ~ 2008 Yonsei University College of Medicine (MD)
• 2009 ~ 2010 Johns Hopkins School of Public Health (MPH)
• 2013 ~ 2021 Yonsei University College of Medicine, Health Ethics and Law Division (PhD)

Experience

• 2022 ~ Present CSO, RIGHT Foundation
• 2017 ~ Present Adjunct Professor, Yonsei University School of Public Health
• 2013 ~ Present Member of the Board, Korea Society of Global Health
• 2019 ~ 2022 Representative Partner, Global Health & Development Partners (GHDP)
• 2011 ~ 2016 Health Advisor, KOICA HQ and Ghana Country Office
• 2008 ~ 2009 Medical Officer in Division of National Immunization Program, Korea CDC

Education

• 1984 ~ 1988 B.S. / Department of Biology, College of Natural Science, Korea University, Seoul Korea
• 1988 ~ 1990 M.S. / Department of Biology, College of Natural Science, Korea University Graduate School, Seoul Korea
• 1994 ~ 2000 Ph.D. / Department of Life Science, College of Natural Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul Korea

Experience

• 2022 ~ Present Advisory member of Infectious Disease Policy Beauro, Seoul Metropolitan city, Korea
• 2022 ~ Present Committee member of Government-wide R&D Fund for Infectious Disease Research (GFID), Korea
• 2021 ~ Present Advisory member of Korea Pest Control Association, Korea
• 2006 ~ Present Full member, The American Society for Virology
• 1990 ~ Present Committee member, The Korean Society of Virology
• 1990 ~ 2019 Director, Researcher, Divisions of Influenza and respiratory viruses, Department of Virus Research, National Institute of Health, Korea
• 2004 ~ 2006 University of Nebraska Medical Center, NE, USA, Visiting Scientist
• 1996 ~ 1997 Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan, Visiting Scientist
• 1994 ~ 1994NIID, Tokyo, Japan, “Polio Eradication Program”, WHO fellow

Education

• 2000 ~ 2006 PhD, Northwestern University Medical School
• 1996 ~ 1999 MSc, Seoul National University
• 1990 ~ 1996 BSc, Seoul National University

Experience

• 2013 ~ Present 전북대학교 (인수공통전염병연구소)
• 2011 ~ 2013 Presidential Postdoc, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research (NIBR)
• 2007 ~ 2011 Postdoc, University of California San Francisco

Topic

• Preparing for Tomorrow’s Pandemics, Today through the development of broadly active therapies

Summary

• Emerging viral infections are a threat to global public health. Viruses with RNA genomes are commonly associated with novel virus emergence due to their adaptability to new environments. This notion is exemplified by the Coronavirus(CoV) family where at least five novel CoV have emerged in the past 20 years including SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. Viruses similar to human CoVs can be found in a variety of wild and domestic animals around the world. Thus, novel CoV emergence in the future is highly likely. How do we prepare for an unknown viral threat? What can we do to prepare for tomorrow’s pandemics today? Developing broad spectrum antiviral therapies targeting families with emergence potential are one of the many things that can be done to prepare for novel virus emergence. Antivirals can be deployed for rapid response while vaccines and virus-specific therapies are created. Robust in vitro and in vivo models of viral disease are essential to best position antiviral therapies for immediate human clinical trial once an emerging viral threat is identified. Remdesivir is an example of the success of this approach which should be broadly applied to all emerging virus families to maximize our pandemic preparedness.

Topic

• Research on therapeutics development to emerging high-risk viruses

Summary

• The repeated emergence of viruses such as COVID-19 and Mpox has intensified global concerns over future pandemics, highlighting the urgent need for effective countermeasures against emerging infectious diseases (EIDs). Among these, RNA viruses including Lassa fever, Ebola, and Nipah have been designated as priority pathogens by WHO and CEPI due to their high transmissibility and fatality rates. Critically, no approved vaccines or treatments currently exist for these diseases, posing a significant public health threat. In Korea, past experiences with MERS and COVID-19, along with increased global mobility and importation risks from neighboring countries, underscore the need for a national-level proactive research response. However, related researches on high- risk pathogens remain limited, due to the need for BSL-4 containment facilities and insufficient domestic infrastructure. To overcome these challenges, our center is establishing a pseudovirus- based evaluation platform that allows for the safe and rapid assessment of antiviral candidates under BSL-2 conditions. This platform incorporates advanced technologies such as antibody engineering and genomics-based target discovery to identify and validate highly effective therapeutics, particularly against genetically variable RNA viruses. The established system will serve as a vital cell-based evaluation system for validation of antiviral candidates to high-risk viruses, core infrastructure for early response to emerging diseases and facilitate future vaccine and drug development. Ultimately it contribute to strengthening national preparedness and scientific capacity to address future infectious disease threats.

Topic

• Collaboration on infectious disease research using overseas research centers in the Philippines

Summary

• In our continuous effort to foster international cooperation for infectious disease research, the Philippines Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) and the Korea National Institute of Infectious Diseases (KNIID) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) last July 20, 2023. This agreement formalized the establishment of an overseas research hub in the Philippines, initiated by KNIID, where both institutions will maximize their strengths and resources. The primary objectives of this research hub are to enhance infectious disease studies by:
  1. Conducting cutting -edge research and development that aims to leverage advanced methodologies and technologies, such as genomics, data analytics, and field epidemiology to enhance our understanding of infectious diseases;
  2. Fostering collaborations among researchers, industry partners, academic institution and other stakeholders;
  3. Identifying and securing funding and resources necessary to support both on going and futures research activities;
  4. Facilitating and dissemination of research findings for the benefit of public health, and;
  5. Providing training and development opportunities for researchers and students by fostering a culture of continuous learning.

Topic

• Tick-Borne Viral Diseases in a Changing Landscape: Strengthening Networks, Technologies, and Public Health Preparedness

Summary

• Sazaly Abu Bakar and Eva Vunjia Tiong. Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Center (TIDREC), Universiti Malaya, Malaysia. Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) pose a growing yet often overlooked public health threat. Southeast Asia’s complex ecology, marked by urban-forest intersections, primary forest landscape changes, frequent natural disasters, and porous cross-border human and animal movements, enables tick habitat expansion and the emergence of novel tick-borne pathogens. Historically underdiagnosed TBDs are now increasingly detected in wildlife and human cases across the region, signaling a rising public health concern. Tick-borne viral diseases (TBVDs) are even more scarcely reported, yet the growing incidence of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) in East Asia and serological studies hinting at the presence of Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE) and Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) highlight an urgent need for further investigation. Addressing TBVDs, however, presents distinct challenges, as their presence could be in remote populations with limited healthcare access, inadequate diagnostic tools, and low awareness among both healthcare professionals and the public. Strengthening surveillance and investing in advanced diagnostics, such as point-of-care molecular tools, AI-assisted pathogen identification, and GIS-based tracking, hence are critical for early detection and response. Fostering interdisciplinary collaboration through a One Health framework is key, integrating expertise across human, animal, and environmental health sectors. Networking among researchers, clinicians, and policymakers enhances resource-sharing and coordinated actions, while digital platforms and collaborative research accelerates knowledge dissemination. Expanding clinical awareness and public education through targeted outreach and professional trainings and community engagements further empowers healthcare systems to recognize and address TBVDs proactively and will further improve disease recognition and response. In summary, prioritizing technological advancements, interdisciplinary partnerships, and strategic networking, are pivotal to better combat TBVDs, safeguarding vulnerable populations such as those living at the forest fringe areas and reinforcing public health resilience.

Education

• 2003 ~ 2005 Chosun University Bachelor
• 1997 ~ 1999 Chosun University Master
• 1989 ~ 1995 Chosun University Ph.D

Experience

• 2013 ~ Present Professor, Chosun University
• 2010 ~ 2012 Training at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• 2010 ~ 2013 Associate Professor, Chosun University
• 2006 ~ 2010 Assistant Professor, Chosun University
• 2004 ~ 2006 Full-time lecturer at Chosun University
• 2003 ~ 2004 Seoul National University Hospital Resident
• 2000 ~ 2002 Jeonnam Provincial Office Epidemiological Investigator

Education

• 2017 ~ Present MSc Infectious Diseases Course International Programmes in LONDON SCHOOL of HYGIENE & TROPICAL MEDICINE(LSHTM), UOL, London UK
• 2000 ~ 2003 Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul South Korea.
• 1994 ~ 1999 M.S. in Microbiology Kyungpook National University College of Science, Daegu South Korea
• 1990 ~ 1994 B.S. in Microbiology Kyungpook National University College of Science, Daegu South Korea

Experience

• 2020 ~ Present rofessor Department of Microbiology Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul South Korea
• 2004 ~ 2020 Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor Department of Microbiology and Immunology Jeju National University College of Medicine, Jeju South Korea
• 2015 ~ 2015>
  2020 ~ Present Visiting Scientist US Army Medical Component-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences(AFRIMS) in Bangkok Thailand
• 2014 ~ 2014 Surveillance officer and International Health Regulation (IHR) duty officer(Volunteer, sabbatical year) The Emer- ging Diseases Surveillance and Response(ESR) World Health Organization, Regional Office for the Western Pacific(WPRO) in Manila Philippines
• 2005 ~ 2006 Research fellow Channing Lab. BWH, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA USA
• 2003 ~ 2004 BK21 Postdoc. Department of Microbiology and Immunology Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul South Korea
• 2001 ~ 2003 Teaching Assistant Department of Microbiology and Immunology Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul South Korea
• 1994 ~ 1997 1st lieutenant Republic of Korea Airforce

Topic

• Strategic vaccination of food-producing animals: A one health strategy for mitigating infectious disease transmission

Summary

• Large-scale food production is common in the U.S., leading to extensive interactions between the environment and food animals. Since the major foodborne pathogens in the U.S., such as Campylobacter and Salmonella, originate from animals, these pathogens enter the food supply chain from animal reservoirs. This underscores the critical connection between food safety and the One Health approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health. To mitigate the risk of microbial contamination from these zoonotic pathogens, U.S. regulatory agencies encourage producers to implement comprehensive pre-harvest interventions. For instance, the USDA promotes non-antibiotic strategies, such as vaccination, to reduce pathogen loads in food animals before slaughter. In Europe and Japan, successful reductions in Salmonella infections have been achieved through poultry vaccination. However, effective pre-harvest methods for Campylobacter are currently lacking. Our laboratory has recently developed a live-attenuated Campylobacter vaccine that significantly reduces the bacterial loads in poultry, demonstrating promising potential as an effective pre-harvest intervention strategy.

Topic

• Situation of Viral Zoonotic Diseases in Vietnam

Summary

• Vietnam faces a significant burden from zoonotic diseases, due to high human and livestock densities, large volume of domestic as well as cross-border trades for animals. Wildlife farming, a rapidly growing industry in Vietnam, has led to the establishment of over 14,000 farms nationwide. These farmsare potential hotspots for disease spillovers.The VietnameseGovernment recognized five priority zoonoses, including highly pathogenic avian influenza(HPAI), rabies, leptospirosis, anthrax, and ,andestablishedaframeworkforOneHealthinvestigationandresponsetothesediseases. In Vietnam, a total of 129cases ofhuman infections with HPAIA/H5N1 and A/H5N6, including 65 deathssince 2003. The last case was reported with an onset date of 9 November 2024.The diversity of influenza viruses is increasingwith the first human infection with avian influenza A(H9N2) in April 2024 and the firsthuman case of swine-origin influenza virus H1N1v in August 2024. The H5 subtype viruses are circulating in poultry. Rabies was the most serious zoonotic disease based on the number of human cases and the geographic distribution. According to the National Program for Rabies Control and Eliminationin Vietnam, 294deaths due to rabies were recordedfrom 2020to 2023, meaning there was an average of 73.5deaths per year. Other zoonotic diseases,hantaviruswas detected in febrile patient samples for the first time in Vietnam in March 2024.Research on bat-derived infectious diseaseswas found new alpha herpes virus in fruit bats living in Vietnam. These activitieswould provide important data for estimating the risk of zoonotic disease infections in Vietnam.A One Health multisectoral response to the detection of these zoonoses can also reduce the burden of the zoonotic diseases in Vietnam.

Topic

• One helath approach to foodborne illnesses in South Korea

Summary

• The domestic status and research direction of One Health food poisoning infectious diseases between humans and animals should be approached from the One Health perspective that the health of humans, animals, and the environment are interconnected. In particular, considering the recent increase in companion animals and the increase in food poisoning due to the expansion of eating out and group meals, it is necessary to establish a cooperative system and joint research and development between related ministries. In addition, the emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria throughout the ecosystem including humans, animals, and the environment is making the management of food poisoning infectious diseases more difficult, so a joint investigation system between related ministries in the event of food poisoning should be established from the One Health perspective. In order to effectively manage food poisoning infectious diseases, a joint research and development system involving multidisciplinary One Health experts should be established, and strategies for identifying the cause of food poisoning and prevention should be established. In addition to comprehensively managing and sharing information in the human-animal field, strengthening One Health concepts and food poisoning prevention education, it will be necessary to activate surveillance and epidemiological investigations of major food poisoning pathogens, and conduct research to identify the cause and path of occurrence.

Topic

• Current Status of Q fever and the Challenge of Outbreak Preparedness in Korea: One Health Approach to Zoonoses

Summary

• Human Q fever, zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii, presents with diverse clinical manifestations, from mild self-limited febrile illnesses to life-threatening complications such as endocarditis or vascular infection. Although the acute Q fever is benign illness with a low mortality rate, a large-scale outbreak of Q fever in the Netherlands could lead to public health concerns such as blood transfusion-related transmission or obstetrical complications in pregnant women. Furthermore, chronic Q fever was developed in <5% of patients with C. burnetii infection. It can become fatal in 5-50% of patients with Chronic Q fever if left untreated. In South Korea, Q fever was designated as a notifiable infectious disease in 2006, and the number of Q fever cases has sharply increased since 2015. Nonetheless, it is still considered a neglected and underrecognized infectious disease. In this lecture, incidence, causes and impact of human Q fever will be presented, and “One Health” approach as countermeasures for preventing zoonotic disease outbreak will also be covered.

Education

• 2017 Chonnam National University, Ph.D
• 2005 Seoul National University College of Medicine, M.M.Sc
• 2000 Seoul National University College of Medicine, M.D.

Experience

• 2023 ~ Present Director, Korea National Institute of Health
• 2020 ~ 2023 Director, Department of Precision Medicine, KNIH
• 2018 ~ 2020 Director, Center for Genome Science, KNIH
• 2017 ~ 2018 Director, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, KNIH, KCDC
• 2012 ~ 2023 PI, National Research Program for Women’s Health
• 2011 ~ 2014 Team leader, National Center for Medical Information and Knowledge TF
• 2008 ~ 2014 Team leader, Clinical Research Coordination TF
• 2005 ~ 2017 Director, Division of Cardiovascular & Rare Diseases, KNIH, KCDC
• 2002 ~ 2003 Research Associate, Duke University Medical Center, USA
• 2004 ~ 2002 Assistant professor of Cardiology (Dept. of internal medicine)
• 2000 ~ 2005 Assistant professor of Cardiology (Dept. of internal medicine)
• 1998 ~ 2000 Assistant professor, Yonsei Cardiovascular Research Institute
• 1998 ~ 2000 Instructor, Yonsei Cardiovascular Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine
• 1996 ~ 1998 Research Student, Department of Clinical Pathology, Shimane Medical University, Japan
• 1995 ~ 1996 Research fellow, Cardiology division, Yonsei Cardiovascular Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine
• 1990 ~ 1995 Resident, Department of Internal Medicine, Yongdong Severance Hospital