Research Project - DC1

I am Nicolás, originally from Colombia, but I completed most of my education in France, where I recently obtained a Master’s degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology with a specialisation in Infectious Diseases, from Claude Bernard University in Lyon. I will be based in Rotterdam, as part of Dr. Mathilde Richard’s team at Erasmus MC’s Viroscience department, and co-supervised by Dr. Mariette Ducatez. My PhD focuses on understanding how poultry vaccination influences the evolution of avian influenza A (H5) viruses, how it affects immune responses in birds, and on assessing the zoonotic and pandemic risks posed by circulating strains. Beyond science, I enjoy history, travelling, tasty food, cycling, swimming, photography, and I’m particularly fond of board games!

DC1 — Assessing the antigenic evolution and pandemic potential of H5 influenza viruses

DC1 maps how contemporary H5Nx avian influenza viruses change antigenically under vaccination pressure and what that means for zoonotic risk. Using HI and virus neutralization assays with ferret and bird antisera (plus turkey RBCs), the project builds integrated antigenic maps and confirms phenotypes with recombinant viruses and newly generated antisera. Molecular phenotyping focuses on traits linked to mammalian adaptation—receptor binding, HA stability, and polymerase activity—followed by ferret studies for replication, pathogenesis, and airborne transmission when warranted.

Working closely with DC2/DC4 on antigenic cartography and with CEVA on vaccinated-bird sera, DC1 also examines clade 2.3.4.4 evolution in Egypt with NRC (secondment). The outcome is real-time antigenic intelligence on H5Nx, a deeper understanding of vaccine-driven drift, breadth of immunity after vaccination, and an evidence-based appraisal of pandemic potential.