Infection and Drug Resistance

Dr Oliver Planz

Institute of Immunology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany

Prof. Oliver Planz, Ph.D., is an esteemed expert in Translational Immunology of Infection, currently leading research initiatives at the Institute of Immunology, University of Tübingen. With a robust background in viral immunology, Prof. Planz has dedicated his career to advancing our understanding of immune responses to infections and developing innovative antiviral therapies.

Prof. Planz's career began with a Ph.D. in Viral Immunology from the Institute of Virology, University of Giessen, Germany, where he cultivated a deep expertise in pathogen-host interactions. His postdoctoral training at the University of Zürich under the mentorship of Nobel Laureate R.M. Zinkernagel further honed his focus on infection immunology, setting the stage for his contributions to the field.

Since then, Prof. Planz has held several positions, including leading the "Immunology and Cell Biology" research unit at the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute in Tübingen. He became an Associate Professor at the Eberhard-Karls University of Tübingen and subsequently assumed his current role, where he directs translational research to bridge basic immunological discoveries with clinical applications. His work emphasizes antiviral drug development, exemplified by his co-founding of Atriva Therapeutics GmbH in 2016, aimed at novel influenza therapeutics.

Prof. Planz is actively involved in global initiatives on antiviral drug development. His contributions extend to various Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials, showcasing his commitment to bringing innovative solutions to public health challenges. He is a member of several professional societies, serves on editorial boards and holds various patent families.

His work is widely recognized, underscoring his influence in virology and immunology research. Prof. Planz continues to inspire the scientific community through his mentorship and entrepreneurship in the field of infectious diseases.

Dr Hazrat Bilal

Central Laboratory, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P.R. China

Dr. Hazrat Bilal is an accomplished Microbiologist and Associate Researcher/Professor at the Central Laboratory, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital and Institute, Nanchang, China. His research expertise spans bacterial and fungal pathogens, with a dedicated focus on antimicrobial resistance and their implications in immunocompromised populations, particularly cancer patients.
Dr. Bilal’s academic journey is marked by excellence. He earned his Bachelor's degree from Hazara University and his Master’s from Khyber Medical University, both with highest honors, receiving gold medals for academic distinction. He went on to complete his Ph.D. in Ecology with a specialization in Microbiology at Anhui University, China, under a prestigious, fully-funded Chinese Government Scholarship. His doctoral research provided in-depth insights into the systematic analysis and molecular epidemiology of carbapenem- and colistin-resistant bacterial pathogens.
Following his Ph.D., Dr. Bilal completed postdoctoral training in Clinical Medicine at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College. There, he specialized in antimicrobial resistance mechanisms and molecular epidemiology of both fungal and bacterial clinical isolates, solidifying his role as a leading expert in translational infectious disease research.
Currently, Dr. Bilal’s research addresses the growing threat of multidrug-resistant pathogens among oncology patients. His work focuses on resistant bacterial and fungal isolates, as well as the oncogenic and immunomodulatory roles of fungi in various cancers. He also explores the potential of integrated diagnostic and surveillance tools to track and mitigate resistant infections in clinical settings.
Dr. Bilal is an active member of the American Society for Microbiology and serves as a reviewer for several high-impact international journals. His contributions to scientific literature and international conferences have advanced understanding in the fields of infectious diseases, cancer microbiology, and antimicrobial resistance.
With a proven track record in laboratory diagnostics, molecular techniques, and data analysis, Dr. Bilal continues to collaborate with global researchers to enhance infection control strategies and improve clinical outcomes for vulnerable patient populations.

Dr Hemant Joshi

University of California, San Francisco, USA

Dr. Hemant Joshi is a dedicated molecular microbiologist with a deep commitment to addressing the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance. His research is rooted in unraveling the complex biology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other pathogenic bacteria to inform the development of novel therapeutics and improve treatment outcomes.
Currently serving as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Dr. Joshi investigates how pharmacological and genetic modulation of translational fidelity influence M. tuberculosis virulence, antibiotic tolerance, and drug resistance. His postdoctoral work bridges pharmacological and structural biology approaches—leveraging high resolution ribosome structures and collaborative antibiotic discovery efforts—to explore therapeutic potential of antimicrobials in tuberculosis. By understanding these factors, his research work has the potential to inform new diagnostic tools, optimize treatment regimens, and support more targeted public health strategies to combat tuberculosis. This research ultimately contributes to the global effort to reduce tuberculosis incidence and improve health outcomes in affected populations.
Dr. Joshi's journey in molecular microbiology began with a Ph.D. from Jawaharlal Nehru University, India, where he employed transposon mutagenesis to uncover genetic determinants of antibiotic tolerance and intracellular survival in Mycobacterium smegmatis. His doctoral research provided critical insights into bacterial persistence mechanisms, host-pathogen interactions, and biofilm biology—key elements of tuberculosis pathogenesis and treatment failure. In addition to his work on tuberculosis, Dr. Joshi has contributed to broader efforts in antimicrobial innovation. His interdisciplinary projects have included the development of green-synthesized metal nanoparticles with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and the design of nanoparticle-based biosensors for rapid pathogen detection.
Throughout his career, Dr. Joshi has been actively involved in mentoring young scientists and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations. He has been recognized with prestigious fellowships and travel awards from agencies such as CSIR, DBT, ICMR, and the Immunology Foundation. He is a member of the American Society for Microbiology and the Infectious Disease Society of America and is deeply engaged with the global scientific community through research, publication, and international conferences. Dr. Joshi’s commitment to translational microbiology, antibiotic discovery, and mentorship makes him a valuable contributor to scientific discourse. As an Associate Editor, he brings a keen understanding of both foundational science and clinical relevance, along with a collaborative spirit aimed at advancing solutions to some of the most pressing challenges in infectious disease research.

Professor Chi H. Lee

Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri, Kansas City, MO, USA

Chi Lee, Ph.D. is Professor in the Division of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, UMKC, and began at the school on September 1, 1999. He received his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Seoul National University, South Korea, then went on to complete his MS in pharmacokinetics from the University of Washington in Seattle and his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Rutgers University. He had been in Cardiovascular division in the medical school, University of Michigan, for 2 years as a postdoctoral fellow. Before coming to UMKC, he was Assistant Professor in the Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences at Northeast Louisiana University.

He has focused on the development and evaluation of implantable formulations/devices, transdermal/transmucosal and gene delivery systems for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes as well as inflammatory diseases including AIDS. His work involves exploring advanced nanotechnologies including 3D/4D printing for high efficiency bioengineering devices. He has been working on designing computer-aided models, AI-based image analysis and quantum computing for drug/biomaterial discovery/resistance in the process of establishing the relationships between in vitro/in vivo outcomes and translational researches.

Dr Yan Li

Department of Infectious Diseases, Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine; National Clinical Research Centre for Child Health, Hangzhou, China

 

Dr Yan Li earned her PhD in Paediatrics from Soochow University, laying a solid foundation in host–pathogen interactions and immune regulation. Her cross-disciplinary work traces the continuum from infection to immune dysregulation and subsequent organ damage.

Early investigations centred on innate immune regulation, elucidating the metabolic and epigenetic control of neutrophils and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. She then teamed up with materials scientists to develop nano-delivery systems that precisely modulate ferroptosis and mitophagy. Drawing on multi-centre cohorts, she integrates multi-omics data with rapid sequencing to create early molecular warning systems for paediatric infection, and applies artificial-intelligence-driven, interpretable machine-learning models to predict severe infection and guide intervention.

Over the past decade Dr Li has led or contributed to more than ten national and provincial research projects, establishing an end-to-end translational pipeline from fundamental mechanisms through animal models to early clinical validation. This work has advanced the adoption of multi-omics technologies and advanced materials in paediatric infectious disease research and has been recognised with honours such as the Huaxia Medical Science and Technology Award and the Jiangsu Medical Science and Technology Award.

Alongside her research, Dr Li remains deeply engaged in clinical management of paediatric infections and in medical education. She directs educational reform projects, contributes to textbooks and case repositories, and has supervised numerous resident doctors and postgraduate students.

Her professional contributions are widely acknowledged, she serves on the editorial boards of several peer-reviewed journals, reviews for many others, and holds committee appointments in various professional organisations, actively promoting cross-disciplinary and international collaboration.

Through the synergy of scientific innovation, clinical practice and talent development, Dr Li is committed to delivering precise early-warning systems and personalised treatment strategies, aiming to improve outcomes in paediatric infectious diseases and to mitigate the rising challenge of antimicrobial resistance.

Dr Sara Mina

Faculty of Health Sciences, Beirut Arab University, Lebanon

Dr. Sara Mina is an expert in the fields of microbiology, immunology, and biotechnology at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Beirut Arab University, Lebanon.
She holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Angers, France.
Her doctoral research laid the groundwork for her subsequent investigations in microbial genomics, phylogeny, and evolution, with a particular focus on fungal pathogens. Dr. Mina’s research interests are diverse and interdisciplinary, encompassing host-pathogen interactions, antimicrobial resistance, and the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying microbial virulence. Her work frequently integrates translational aspects, aiming to bridge laboratory discoveries with clinical and public health applications.
Dr. Mina was awarded several grants to sustain active collaborations with research institutions across Europe and the Middle East, including joint projects on the evolution of resistance genes and virulence traits through whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analyses.
She has served as a Guest Editor for Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology and is currently a member of the Editorial Board of Mycopathologia.

Prof. Dr. Héctor Mora-Montes

Department of Biology, Division of Natural and Exact Sciences, University of Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico

During his post as a clinical analyst, Prof. Mora-Montes developed a system for the differentiation of Candida species, based on in-house zymograms and colony morphology in cornmeal agar. As a postgraduate student, he generated a new and innovative method for in situ determination of glycosyl hydrolase activities and received the “Summa Cum Laude” distinction from Universidad de Guanajuato. Among the most important achievements during his time as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Aberdeen (Scotland), he set up most of the immunological techniques within the Aberdeen Fungal Group and developed and standardized protocols for the isolation and purification of chitin, phospholipomannan, N-linked and O-linked mannans from fungal cells. Those protocols have not only benefited the Aberdeen Fungal Group, but other international groups dedicated to the study of the fungal cell wall, and are considered among the most popular and standardized methods for isolation and analysis of fungal cell wall components.

In 2010, he established the Laboratory of Fungal Glycobiology at Universidad de Guanajuato (Mexico), with the main goal to understand the mechanisms behind the fungal cell wall synthesis and the interaction of medically relevant fungal pathogens with the host. This laboratory is characterized by its facilities to perform chemical, immunological, genetic, molecular and cellular analyses of human fungal pathogens. Therefore, it is among a handful of research facilities within Mexico and Latin America offering a multidisciplinary and integral approach to understand these pathogens. Currently, the group is developing molecular tools for genetic manipulation of medically relevant fungi, in particular Sporothrix and Candida species. Our group has a solid international reputation in the genetic study of these organisms, in the immune sensing of fungal cells, and the development of alternative models to analyze fungal virulence.

Since 2016, he was awarded the level III distinction by SNI, the highest distinction awarded by the Mexican Government for Mexican Researchers under 65 years old. He currently holds editorial appointments in several peer-reviewed international journals and is the Deputy President of the Latin-American Society of Glycobiology.

Dr Alberto Ospina Stella

Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity, Sydney, Australia

Dr. Alberto Ospina Stella is an experienced medical scientist at the Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity and an Associate Lecturer at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. With expertise spanning infection biology, immunovirology, and vaccinology, Dr. Stella’s collaborative research focuses on characterizing host immune responses and their role in the diagnosis, prevention, manifestation, and treatment of viral infections. His work has directly contributed to the development of both preclinical and clinically relevant vaccines and immunotherapeutics, with publications cited by the CDC and public health advisory groups in multiple countries.
Dr. Stella’s scientific journey began in Germany, where he completed formal training in molecular biotechnology (B.Sc.) and molecular medicine (M.Sc.), before earning his Ph.D from the University of New South Wales for his research on HIV host–pathogen interactions to advance novel host-directed antiviral therapy strategies.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Stella developed novel reagents and high-throughput assays that enabled the rapid characterization of emerging SARS-CoV-2 viral variants and their evolving resistance to vaccines and monoclonal antibodies. Through collaborative functional genomic studies, he has also contributed to identifying key host factors involved in viral entry, tropism, and replication. His recent work has expanded to explore molecular medicine solutions targeting other respiratory viruses, including RSV and Influenza.

 

Dr Sandip Patil

Department of Haematology and Oncology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China

Dr. Sandip Patil is an accomplished Molecular Microbiologist with a strong focus on combating bacterial infectious diseases. His expertise lies in understanding the molecular intricacies of WHO priority list pathogens and their antibacterial resistance mechanisms. He is dedicated to unravelling these complexities to develop effective strategies against resistance, discover novel antimicrobial molecules, and improve treatment outcomes.

Currently serving as a Researcher at Shenzhen Children's Hospital in Shenzhen, China, Dr. Patil actively contributes to research projects in infection epidemiology and clinical molecular microbiology. He has a proven track record of developing and implementing advanced diagnostic workflows that integrate local metadata and public health surveillance data to address urgent epidemiological questions related to outbreaks and antimicrobial resistance. Notably, Dr. Patil specializes in studying the impact of β-lactamase inhibitors, hydrolyzing cephalosporins, mutations on β-lactamase expression, and colistin resistance.

Dr. Patil's journey in molecular microbiology began with a Ph.D. in Microbiology (Bacteriology) from Shoolini University, Solan, India. His doctoral research focused on conducting extensive molecular characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains carrying mec-SSC-IV cassettes associated with the toxin encoding pvl gene. This experience deepened his understanding of genetic factors contributing to antibiotic resistance and fueled his commitment to developing effective treatment strategies.

Throughout his career, Dr. Patil has held various research and academic positions, including a Post-Doc Scientist and an assistant professor. He has received international recognition for his research capabilities and has been honored with the Bill and Melinda Gates Young Investigator Award. Dr. Patil is also an esteemed member of the Global Burden of Diseases Collaborative network. His research findings have been published in high-impact scientific journals, including The Lancet Microbes, and he has presented his work at numerous national and international conferences.

Dr. Patil's dedication to scientific advancement is evident through his active engagement with scientific literature and his participation in conferences and workshops. He has successfully fostered collaborations with renowned scientists and institutions worldwide, further contributing to the global scientific community.