Welcome to the ESWI Airborne series Shaping the Future of Respiratory Virus Research
A central question explored in this informative episode on immunological medicine is why individuals respond so differently to the same virus, or even the same vaccine. Early career scientists Alina Tscherne, postdoctoral researcher at the Ignaz Semmelweis Institute, Medical University of Vienna, Austria and Valentino D’Onofrio, postdoctoral researcher at the Center for Vaccinology, Ghent University, Belgium expertly explain the key factors that shape diverse immune responses and why maintaining a balanced immune response is so crucial for clinical outcome.
Together they share insights into the future of vaccine design arguing that biological diversity and variability should not be seen as confounding factors but instead be embraced as opportunities. The episode also explores some of the major gaps between immunology research and real-world application and reveals what “going to the gym” has in common with getting a flu shot?

Welcome to the ESWI Airborne series Shaping the Future of Respiratory Virus Research

Our guests in this fascinating episode are early career scientists active in opposite ends of the infection spectrum – one scientist is a virus hunter, tracking viruses in urban environments, while the other investigates how viruses invade and attack our most vital organ, the brain. Together they reveal the hidden connections between environmental surveillance and neurological consequence.

They explore and discuss the importance of surveillance and pathogenesis and why preparedness depends on both. We learn about neurovirulence and the different ways viruses can enter and damage the brain. Questions pondered include why neurological damage is overlooked in the human population and whether our cities are blind spots for emerging zoonotic diseases.

Niko Joel Halwe, Postdoctoral Researcher in virology Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Science Outreach and Pandemic Preparedness, at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria.

Lisa Bauer, Assistant Professor in neuroscience and virology at Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

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.