Now, that a novel coronavirus spread over 60 countries and gained high scientific attention, we would like to invite you to join our NYHSS scientific event discussing viral pandemics, prediction of future spillovers and public health preparedness. The event is organized by Ambassador Istvan Pasztor Consul General of Hungary; Tamas Novak, PhD Scientific & Technology Attaché; and Dorottya Nagy-Szakal, MD PhD, the President of the New York Hungarian Scientific Society.

Program:

6:30-7:00 reception

7:00-8:30 presentation and discussion

Our distinguished speaker: 

Simon Anthony PhD Columbia University Center for Infection and Immunity

Viral Discovery in Pandemic Preparedness

Synopsis: In recent years we have seen a growing number of viruses spilling over from animals into people, many of which have the capacity for significant public health and economic impacts. The current outbreak of Covid-19 is a timely and sobering example. For too long the scientific and public health communities have focused only on responding to these outbreaks, after they have occurred. However, here we discuss whether there is any benefit to surveying wildlife around the world and characterizing the viruses they carry before they spillover into humans or other animals. 

Bio: Dr. Anthony's research focuses on the ecology and evolution of viruses - particularly (i) the drivers of trait adaptation by natural selection, co-evolution, and recombination, and (ii) the consequences of this adaptation for spillover risk. It builds on a decade of prior work characterizing viruses of animals, and combines virology with ecology and evolutionary biology to better understand the factors that contribute to the risk of disease emergence in humans and other animals. Currently, his work focuses on RNA viruses, in particular filoviruses (e.g., ebolaviruses) and coronaviruses, and addresses questions such as: (i) What filo-/corona- viruses are circulating in wildlife? Which have the potential for transmission to humans or other animals? And how do eco-evolutionary processes shape key risk factors for disease emergence, such as viral biogeography, pathogenicity traits, and transmission dynamics.