Chantal Reusken, virologist and top expert at the Infectious Disease Control Centre (CIb) of the RIVM, has been appointed professor at Utrecht University. Starting June 1, she is a professor of Emerging Viruses in One Health Context at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. This chair contributes to a strong, multidisciplinary approach to health threats for both humans and animals.
Reusken: “I see this appointment as a wonderful opportunity to contribute to the protection of the health of both people and animals through my expertise as a public health virologist. I look forward to strengthening the collaborations between the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and the entire Infectious Disease Control Centre. This way, we benefit from each others knowledge and research. I also want to contribute to veterinary education.”
Why this chair?
Infectious diseases in animals also pose a significant threat to human health. It is estimated that 80% of new viruses in humans come from animals. Reuskens chair connects knowledge, infrastructure, and networks in this area from a multidisciplinary perspective. This perspective is referred to as One Health. The chair thus enhances preparedness and response to public health threats. Another goal of the chair is to raise awareness among future veterinarians about the consequences that infectious diseases in animals can have for public health, and to teach them more about research, surveillance, and control of viral zoonoses.
Enrichment for the RIVM
Menno de Jong, director of the Infectious Disease Control Centre (CIb Infectious Disease Control Centre (part of the RIVM) (Infectious Disease Control Centre (part of the RIVM))): “Viruses of animal origin are an increasingly significant threat to public health. Therefore, this chair is very valuable. With this, we as CIb strengthen our collaboration with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University. And we work internally even better together in the field of One Health.”
About Chantal Reusken
Chantal Reusken is a virologist. She obtained her PhD in 1997 at Leiden University on the interactions between RNA ribonucleic acid (ribonucleic acid) and proteins of the Alfalfa mosaic virus. From 2005 to 2014, Reusken worked as a virologist at the RIVM, including as head of the Emerging Viral Infections department. She then took a detour to the Erasmus MC Erasmus University Medical Center (Erasmus University Medical Center). In 2018, Reusken returned to the RIVM as a top expert in virology.
Furthermore, Reusken is, among other things:
- Head of the National Reference Laboratories for arboviruses, viral hemorrhagic fevers, and SARS severe acute respiratory syndrome (severe acute respiratory syndrome)-CoV coronavirus (coronavirus)-2.
- Head of the EU European Union (European Union) Reference Laboratory (EURL) for Public Health on Vector-borne viral pathogens.
- Head of the WHO World Health Organization (World Health Organization) Collaborating Centre for Laboratory Preparedness and Response for High Threat Pathogens and Biorisk.
- Advisor to international organizations, such as WHO and ECDC European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control ), including a member of the WHO Technical Advisory Group on arboviruses.
During the coronavirus pandemic, Reusken was a member of the Outbreak Management Team.
Read more about Reuskens appointment on the website of the Utrecht University (external link).