Welcome to ESWI Airborne: Shaping the Future of Respiratory Virus Research. In this episode, we speak with two outstanding researchers whose work is shaping the future of influenza and respiratory virus science. This conversation forms part of our three-part series on life as a scientist.

Our guests are two recent ESWI Conference prize winners:

Dr Kevin Ciminski, recipient of the Claude Hannoun Prize for Best Body of Work.

He leads an independent research group at the Institute of Virology, University Medical Center Freiburg in Germany, where he studies virus–host interactions of emerging zoonotic influenza viruses.

Dr Marios Koutsakos, awarded the Young Scientist Vaccine Innovation Award.

He is a Group Leader at the Doherty Institute in Melbourne, Australia, focusing on influenza B viruses, immune imprinting, and developing broader and more durable influenza vaccine strategies.

Together, they explore what it means to build a scientific career, define a niche, establish a laboratory and contribute to an international research community. They reflect on the pivotal moments that drew them into virology, the balance between specialised research and big-picture questions, and the skills that have mattered most in their professional growth. They also share lessons learned from mentors and consider where early career scientists can make the greatest impact in the decade ahead.

Tune in to this extraordinary conversation exploring the important interplay between respiratory viruses and non-communicable diseases like diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Why do people with chronic conditions face higher risks from infections? Could there be such a thing as "long-flu"? What are the long-term effects of viral infections? And why are viruses so tricky? 

Join our three leading scientists as they unpack the bidirectional connection, clarify this unique opportunity to leverage awareness and the fundamental importance of joining forces across disciplines: Marco Goeijenbier(ESWI Board Member, intensivist at Spaarne Gasthuis and Senior Scientist at Erasmus MC), Tor Biering-Sørensen (cardiologist and Founding Head of the Center for Translational Cardiology in Copenhagen), and Kirsty Short (NHMRC research fellow, University of Queensland). 

They will explain this pivotal moment to rethink disease prevention, reveal insights from the groundbreaking giga DANFLU trial, and show how the Interdisciplinary Disease Collaboration on Respiratory Infections and NCDs (IDC) is connecting the dots from lab bench to hospital bedside.

What are the causes for the steady and at times dramatic decline in vaccine confidence seen since the mid-90’s across certain age-groups and communities? Why has the public discourse changed? And how did the persistent and lingering myth linking vaccines to autism take hold? 

In this insightful episode, a panel of accomplished experts tackle these pressing questions, offering astute explanations and powerful counter-strategies to combat misinformation and restore trust in vaccines. 

Join Ted van Essen, TV doctor, GP and ESWI Board Member with many years of experience in public health work as chair of the Dutch Immunisation Foundation; Heidi Larson, Founder and Director of the Vaccine Confidence Project, author of “How vaccine rumours start”, and named one of the 100 most influential women in the world by the BBC in 2021; and, Sue Saville, former Medical Correspondent at Britain’s ITV News, now an independent health communications specialist bringing a wealth of experience as a speaker, writer, trainer and more. 

In this episode, our distinguished experts and coalition partners unwrap and define key intervention strategies for acute respiratory viruses. Building on insights from previous episodes they offer fresh perspectives and bring to light the complexity of prevention, diagnostics and therapy.

Our discussion features ESWI Chair Colin Russell, Professor of Applied Evolutionary Biology, at the University of Amsterdam alongside contributions from Catherine Weil-Olivier, Honorary Professor of Paediatrics at Paris-Cité University, France, and Board Member of the Coalition for Life Course Immunisation and Barbara Rath, Pediatrician and Infectious disease Specialist and Co-founder and Chair at Vaccine Safety Initiative.

Why is seeking early testing so fundamental? How can translating discourse improve intervention efforts? What does understanding the patient journey entail? And finally, could an annual virus weather report become a reality? Do not miss this episode, where science meets strategy in the fight against respiratory viruses.

This episode was made possible from the kind support of Moderna, Viatris and AstraZeneca.

Learn about the fascinating story behind the intriguing Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and how it was first discovered. Why were parents once asked about contact with birds? How can the recent outbreak in China make a difference? Join an insightful conversation with distinguished guests and leading experts Ab Osterhaus, Member of the ESWI board and Director of the Center of Infection Medicine and Zoonosis Research and Guest-Professor at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany, who first identified the virus together with Bernadette van den Hoogen, Associate Professor at Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, and Ann Falsey, Professor of Medicine, Infectious Diseases, and co-director of the Vaccine Treatment and Evaluation Unit at the University of Rochester School of Medicine.

They tease out the subtle differences between HMPV, flu, and RSV, discuss the burden of disease, the role of diagnostics and the importance of fundamental research. Plus, why does public awareness matter and could a name change be on the horizon?

This episode was made possible from the kind support of AstraZeneca.

A riveting episode from three unique perspectives on intervention strategies and the ongoing challenges posed by Sars-Cov-2, the virus behind one of the deadliest pandemics in recent history. Featuring a fundamental researcher, a virologist, and a clinician, our speakers engage in a captivating talk on Covid-19. Is it endemic now? What’s new on the diagnostics and therapeutic front? How many annual vaccines can the public reasonably deal with?  

Join us for this fascinating conversation that bridges research, clinical practice, and public health to address the evolving landscape of Covid-19 and other respiratory viruses.

This episode is supported by Moderna.

Tremendously exciting times and possibly underestimating the enormity of its impact. These are some of the comments we hear when experts share their insights on the recently available RSV vaccines. We are told about the disastrous first attempts of a vaccine 60 years ago and some of the road bumps leading to today’s success. In this episode, join us as we delve into the history, challenges, and triumphs of RSV vaccine development. Our renowned speakers give detailed accounts of the new RSV vaccines, including target population, critical gaps in vaccination for vulnerable groups, national immunisation programmes and the urgency of expanding access to resource poor settings.

RSV and the bumpy road towards a vaccine is supported by Moderna.

Flu Vaccines: Advancements, Challenges, and Global Impact – Expert Insights on Vaccine Platforms and Immune Responses

In this phenomenal episode, three leading experts in the field of vaccinology and immunology dive into the science behind various vaccine platforms and immune responses. Tune in as they explore the evolution of vaccines, from early, early vaccine platforms to cutting-edge technologies, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each approach.  In a dynamic, educational conversation, we hear about the quest for the holy grail, the crucial role of CD8 T-cells, and the global challenges of vaccine accessibility and hesitancy.

Join Professor Ab Osterhaus, ESWI Executive Committee Member and Director of the Center of Infection Medicine and Zoonosis Research at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany; ESWI Board Member Florian Krammer, Professor of Vaccinology at the Department of Microbiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, and Professor for Infection Biology at the Medical University of Vienna; and ESWI Associate Member Carolien van de Sandt, Senior Research Fellow, Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Peter Doherty Institute, Australia in this thought-provoking discussion on the future of vaccines and global health.

With the support of Moderna and Viatris.

Welcome to ESWI Airborne, the podcast of the European Scientific Working Group on Influenza. In this  episode, we explore essential skills and career prospects for early career scientists as part of our three-part series on life as a scientist.

Joining me are three remarkable guests:

Meral Akcay, a global influenza expert and former ESWI board member, who discusses her transition from academia to the pharmaceutical industry and the key skills that have propelled her career.

Lucy Mosscrop, a passionate science enthusiast and PhD candidate at Imperial College London, focusing on RSV research. Lucy shares her aspirations and the valuable skills she has found beneficial throughout her journey.

Marco Goeijenbier, an ESWI board member and clinician with a dynamic career in research, who emphasizes the importance of curiosity and mentorship in navigating the competitive landscape of scientific careers.

Together, we’ll delve into their unique journeys, the challenges they face, and the advice they offer to those just starting out in science. Whether you're a budding scientist or simply curious about the field, this episode provides a wealth of knowledge to guide you on your professional path.

Join in on this enthusiastic and insightful conversation between Nathan Brendish, associated with the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom, and Irene Gonzalez and Florian Krammer from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in the United States of America. Explore the joys and sorrows of embarking on a scientific career in this episode as we delve into the nomadic life of scientists as they explore the world in search of new and existing data in the field of respiratory viruses.

Do not miss the opportunity to listen to this enthusiastic and insightful conversation between Debby van Riel, Associate Professor, Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, The Netherlands, Carolien van de Sandt, Senior Research Fellow, Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Peter Doherty Institute, Australia, and Jenna Guthmiller Assistant Professor at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology from University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, US,  examine the joys and sprrows of embarking on a scientific career. 

How does the real-life experience of working as a scientist compare to your initial

Expectations? What are the typical challenges encountered by early career scientists? What advice would you give to someone considering a career in science? Looking ahead, what are the big questions that you want to address? What advice would you give to someone considering a career in science?

In this comprehensive exploration and conversation among distinguished experts in the field of childhood immunisation we listen to Paula Tähtinen, Clinical Lecturer, Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine / Adjunct Professor, University of Turku and ESWI Board Member, Hanna Nohynek, Chief Medical Officer, Team Leader of Vaccine Programme Development at the National Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland, together with Sir Andrew Pollard, Professor of Paediatric Infection & Immunity at University of Oxford and the Director of the Oxford Vaccine Group succinctly cover the context of vaccinating against flu, RSV and COVID-19.

Is there a difference between recommending flu, RSV and COVID-19 vaccinations in children? What is meant by preventing secondary diseases and other societal wider benefits? What factors are considered before a country introduces a new vaccine in its national vaccination programme? How long does it usually take before a vaccine is rolled-out? And who are the happy wheezers?

Flu is the forgotten killer. What new vistas of vaccinology opened up after the COVID-19 pandemic? In what ways can flu treatments change as a consequence of lessons learned? 

Listen to this excellent panel of experts, Peter Openshaw,  Respiratory physician and Mucosal Immunologist, Professor of Experimental Medicine, Imperial College, London and ESWI Board Member, Anthony Gordon, Chair in Anaesthesia and Critical Care, NIHR Research Professor and Senior Investigator, Imperial College, London, and Susanne Herold, Professor of Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Pulmonary Research, University Hospital Giessen und Marburg, eloquently converse about what the COVID-19 pandemic taught us and how it can help to improve how we deal with flu; And learn what the architects in the Victorian age got right with regards to prevention!

How has the world of travel medicine evolved? What multiple roles do vaccinations have? What impact did the COVID-19 pandemic have on travel behaviour? Why is it so important to keep up to date on the current epidemiological situation? 

Delve into the fascinating world of travel medicine, listening to George Kassianos, GP, ESWI Board Member and President of the British Global and Travel Health Association, Dipti Patel, Specialist in occupational medicine and travel medicine physician and Director at the National Travel Health Network and Centre and Robert Steffen, Emeritus Professor at the Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, also known as the father of travel medicine. We learn which group of travellers are - surprisingly - of most concern for health care specialists, and what some of the geographical hotspots are. We will also get a snapshot of the recommended updated Covid-19 vaccine, and much more. 

What do we know about long-Covid? In this captivating episode we listen to the personal and powerful account of how the lingering effects of Sars-CoV-2 has wreaked havoc in an otherwise healthy person “The virus is playing ping-pong with my body”, Norah Casey broadcaster and entrepreneur says when describing all the symptoms in her medically impressive case. Marco Goeijenbier, intensivist and ESWI Board Member together with Merel Hellemons, pulmonologist and researcher with a special interest in long-Covid give an astute description of post-infection syndromes, differences among respiratory virus infections and what is known to date about long-Covid.

Why should older adults be particularly careful of acute respiratory viruses? What are risk factors for adverse outcomes? Why is RSV typically under-diagnosed in adults compared with flu and what are some of the long-term impacts? Are older adults always more at risk in a pandemic?  What do we mean by ageism and what needs to be done to counter it. 

Listen to this powerful panel of experts, literally spanning the globe, featuring Stefania Maggi ESWI Board Member, Geriatrician and Epidemiologist based in Italy, Kirsty Short, virologist from the University of Queensland Australia, and Jane Barratt, Secretary General, International Federation on Ageing in Canada, shedding light on these questions and more.

The shocking numbers of babies and children who die, or who are in need of care, coupled with the rising number of undiagnosed older adults puts a significant burden from RSV on health systems. The risk of severe RSV illness can be mitigated and thus there is an urgency for increasing awareness of the impact of RSV.

Listen to Colin Russell, ESWI Board Member and Professor of Applied Evolutionary Biology, Elizabeth Kuiper, Head of the Social Europe and Well-being programme at the European Policy Centre and George Valiotis, Executive Director of the European Health Management Association expertly untangle the economic and societal impact of acute respiratory viruses with a focus on RSV. They cover everything from air pollution, deep-rooted health inequalities, need for data and surveillance, immunisation programmes, health management to the newly established EU Health Union

Who would have taken virus isolation for granted 30 years ago? How and why did ESWI transform from a pure virology-based network to one encompassing a public health perspective? Join the journey listening to the former, current and future Chairs of ESWI, professors Claude Hannoun, Ab Osterhaus, and Colin Russell reminisce about the past, muse over how ESWI has evolved, and predict where we are heading.

Science has advanced significantly. This is a fascinating account and listening to the different perspectives and challenges the three Chairs have and will experience in the field of acute respiratory viruses is truly inspirational.

What do Ebola, Dengue Fever, Lassa Fever, or other hemorrhagic fevers, that often inspire Hollywood productions, have in common with respiratory viruses, such as influenza or Sars-Cov2? Listen to Dr Marco Goeijenbier, intensivist at Spaarne Hospital in Haarlem and ESWI Board Member, expertly explain the complications due to changes in the coagulation system ranging from blood clotting to bleeding. Furthermore, in this captivating account, Marco describes why complications associated with virus infections seem to affect certain risk groups more than others. He clarifies what a super infection is and gives a reflection of how the Covid pandemic personally affected him working in an ICU.

How close are we to a universal flu vaccine? Are universal corona vaccines attainable? What are some of the main challenges facing scientists in their quest to develop these vaccines? Listen to Dr Florian Krammer, Mount Sinai Professor in Vaccinology at the Department of Microbiology at the Icahn School of Medicine, and ESWI Board Member, expertly addressing these questions. Dr Krammer also vividly describes New York in the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic and explains how and why he rapidly got thousands of followers on Twitter.

In this fascinating episode pathomechanism is explained and we learn how recent research has shown that acute virus infections may cause long-term health impairments. Even mild flu during pregnancy can affect susceptibility to disease in offspring. 

Listen to the personal experience of life as a scientist, embracing the unknown and how to stay motivated by Guelsah Gabriel, Professor Virology, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany and ESWI Board Member including how she integrates the one health concept on a daily basis in all her roles.

Her passion, love and interest to care for children is evident in this personal account by Paula Tähtinen, Clinical Lecturer, Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine / Adjunct Professor, University of Turku, Finland and ESWI Board Member. The burden of disease from RSV in children is explained along with recommended approaches for both treatment and prevention. 

She gives a concrete example of how research findings have changed treatment guidelines in paediatrics, providing evidence of the importance of scientific scrutiny. We gain insight in how combining the roles of clinician, lecturer and researcher is mutually supportive and learn about her newly-established research group with a bold vision for the future.

Who is at an increased risk of adverse effects from an RSV infection? What is the burden of disease and what should be done to alleviate the risk and increase awareness?

In this captivating episode we listen to Dr. Stefania Maggi, a geriatric epidemiologist and ESWI Board Member answer these and many more questions. She also reflects on the importance of healthy ageing, explains the life-course approach and underlines that older adults are a very heterogeneous group and therefore require a personalised approach to health and diseases.

Why are people with diabetes more at risk from flu? What are the options for reducing the risk? What are the challenges and solutions to increase awareness across health care professionals, researchers and patients themselves? How did COVID-19 change the attention to viral infections in risk groups? 

Listen to the insightful conversation among the experts and members of the Influenza Diabetes Community (IDC), Dr Marco Goeijenbier, Chair IDC, ESWI Board Member and medical doctor intensive care and medicine, together with Dr Kirsty Short, research fellow and head of the viral pathogenesis lab at the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, and Dan Howard, diabetes specialist nurse and Head of Care for Diabetes UK

With a wealth of experience, Professor of Epidemiology and former Minister of Health, ESWI Board Member Roman Prymula gives a personal testimony of the COVID-19 pandemic and the different perspectives of politics vs science when it comes to health policy. Insights into vaccinology, the rise of anti-vaxxers and views on how to counter vaccine-hesitancy contribute to this engaging episode.