CV Albert Osterhaus 2026 (199 words)

Professor Osterhaus, former Head of Viroscience at Erasmus MC Rotterdam is currently Guest-Professor at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover and the Leibniz Institute of Virology Hamburg. As participant and PI of numerous international scientific projects, his research follows an integrated "viroscience" concept, bringing together a multidisciplinary team of world-leading scientists. His (co-)discovery of > 80 new viruses of humans and animals (e.g. HMPV, SARS CoV-1, MERS coronavirus and influenza viruses) and studies elucidating their pathogenesis and intervention strategies. enabled authorities like WHO to combat related disease outbreaks. Spin-offs of his work, like Viroclinics-DDL, Vironovative and CR2O, together employing more than 500 people today, allow effective testing and refining of intervention strategies. He gave numerous guest lectures and (co-)organised many international meetings. He mentored more than 85 PhD students, holds several key patents and (co-)authored more than 1450 papers in peer-reviewed journals (cited > 145,000 times; H index >160). He has been Chair of ESWI (eswi.org) and GOHC (gohc.org) for decades, received numerous prestigious awards, holds several senior editorships and is Chief Editor of One Health Outlook (Springer Nature). He is member of the Dutch and German Academies of Sciences and Commander of the Order of the Dutch Lion.

D.o.B.    2-6-1948

Current Positions

Academic and Research Posts

Other Scientific Roles

Awards and Prizes

20 Selected Publications

1. Bruhn M, et al., Somatic hypermutation shapes the viral escape profile of SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies. EBioMedicine. 2025 Jun;116:105770.
2. Kaiser F et al., Filamentous Fungus-Produced Human Monoclonal Antibody Provides Protection Against SARS-CoV-2 in Hamster and Non-Human Primate Models. Nat Commun. 2024 Mar 14;15(1):2319.
3. Palacios-Predrero MA et. al., Age-related signs of immunosenescence correlate with poor outcome of mRNA COVID-19 vaccination in older adults. Nature Aging 2022 https://doi.org/10.1038/s43587-022-00292-y
4. Armando F, et al., SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant causes mild pathology in the upper and lower respiratory tract of hamsters. Nature Commun. 2022 Jun 20;13(1):3519.
5. Du W. et al., An ACE2-blocking antibody confers broad neutralization and protection against Omicron and other SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. Science Immunol. 2022 Apr 26:eabp9312.
6. Jo WK. et al.,: Reverse genetics systems for contemporary isolates of RSV enable rapid evaluation of antibody escape mutants. PNAS 2021 Apr 6;118(14)
7. Wang C, et al., A human monoclonal antibody blocking SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nature Commun. 2020 May 4;11(1):2251.
8. Thiele S et al., Cellular Importin-α3 Expression Dynamics in the Lung Regulate Antiviral Response Pathways againt Influenza A Virus Infection. Cell Rep. 2020 Apr 21;31(3): 107549
9. Herfst S, et al., Hemagglutinin Traits Determine Transmission of Avian A/H10N7 Influenza Virus between Mammals. Cell Host Microbes. 2020 Oct 7;28(4):602-613
10. de Vries RD, et al., Human Paramyxovirus Infections Induce T Cells That Cross-React with Zoonotic Henipaviruses. mBio. 2020 Jul 7;11(4):e00972-20.
11. Haagmans BL, et al., An orthopoxvirus-based vaccine reduces virus excretion after MERS-CoV infection in dromedary camels. Science 2016, 351:77-81.
12. Mina MJ, et al., Long-term measles-induced immunomodulation increases overall childhood infectious disease mortality. Science 2015, 348:694-699.
13. Zaki AM, et al., Isolation of a novel coronavirus from a man with pneumonia in Saudi Arabia. New England Journal of Medicine 2012, 19:1814-1820.
14. Herfst S, et al., Airborne transmission of influenza A/H5N1 virus between ferrets. Science 2012, 336:1534-1541.
15. Stittelaar KJ, et al., Antiviral treatment is more effective than smallpox vaccination upon lethal monkeypox virus infection. Nature 2006, 439:745-748.
16. Haagmans BL et al., Pegylated interferon-alpha protects type 1 pneumocytes against SARS coronavirus infection in macaques. Nature Medicine 2004, 10(3):290-293.
17. Kuiken T, et al., Avian H5N1 influenza in cats. Science 2004, 306:241.
18. Fouchier RA, et al., Koch's postulates fulfilled for SARS virus. Nature 2003, 423:240.
19. Martina BE, et al., SARS virus infection of cats and ferrets. Nature 2003, 425:915.
20. van den Hoogen BG, et al.,A newly discovered human pneumovirus isolated from young children with respiratory tract disease. Nature Medicine 2001. 7(6):719-24.