Program

Marco Vignuzzi holds a B.Sc. from McGill University, and an MSc and PhD from the University of Paris. After completing seven years of postdoctoral work in Raul Andino’s lab at UCSF, he founded his own laboratory at the Institute Pasteur in 2008. From 2008 to 2022, his research focused on emerging viral diseases and antiviral therapies targeting evolutionary mechanisms. He served on the editorial boards of multiple journals and led DARPA research programs under the US Department of Defense, as well as a French National program on Emerging Infectious Diseases coordinating 65 research laboratories. His lab collaborated with teams in 66 countries globally. In 2015, he received the Sanofi National Award in Biomedical Research and in 2019, the Richard Elliott Memorial Award for his work on zoonotic viral diseases. Since 2022, he has been a Senior Principal Investigator at ASTAR ID Labs in Singapore, where he also serves as an adjunct Associate Professor at NUS and NTU. In 2023, he received the NRF Investigator ship and led ASTAR ID Labs’ entry into the International Pasteur Network. In Singapore, Marco will focus on predictive computational biology, experimental evolution, and developing an RNA therapeutics platform to prepare for future viral threats.

He leads the Vaccines and Immunity Research Theme at the MRC Unit in The Gambia, where he has been based full-time for 12 years. He is a Professor of Paediatric Infection, Immunity, and Global Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He continues to practice clinically as a consultant paediatrician in both The Gambia and the UK. At the MRC, he is undertaking a diverse program of clinical vaccine trials, including phase 1 to 3 trials that resulted in the licensure of the first pentavalent meningococcal ACYWX vaccine and the novel oral poliovirus vaccine type 2 (nOPV2), a key tool for polio eradication. He is also conducting the first trial of microarray patches to administer vaccines (measles and rubella) to children. Additionally, he is leading an expanding program of immunological and epidemiological research on Group A streptococcus, the cause of the high burden of rheumatic heart disease in this setting. Clinical trials are complemented by exploratory immunology and qualitative research. He is currently co-leading an ambitious CEPI-funded network to expand clinical vaccine trial capacity across West Africa, aiming to deliver Lassa fever and other trials related to CEPI’s 100-day mission. He is a member of the Gambia National Immunization Technical Advisory Group.

Dr Cheikh Tidiane Diagne trained at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and at the University of Toulouse (France) where he graduated in 2013 with a PhD in Structural and Functional Biology. His PhD research was focused on the dynamic analysis and assembly of site-specific DNA recombination machineries using single molecule techniques. From 2014 to 2016, he worked at the Electronics Department (LETI) of the French Commission for Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies (CEA) in Grenoble (France) as a postdoctoral researcher. There, his research efforts were focused on bio-inspired technologies for molecular electronics.
Dr Diagne joined the virology department of the Institut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD) in 2016 as a researcher in innovation in diagnostics. His primary interests were centered on innovation for Global Health, particularly on the development and evaluation of point-of-care diagnostics tools, digital health for biosample transportation and banking and rapid extraction method for nucleic acid amplification. Since March 2020, he has been leading the DIATROPIX laboratory, a social venture established by IPD, the Merieux Foundation (France), the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (Geneva) and the Institut de Recherche et de Développement (France). DIATROPIX focuses on development and manufacturing of rapid diagnostics tests for neglected and epidemic diseases in Africa.

Dr. Marie-Angelique Sene is a dedicated scientist and leader in vaccine research, bioprocessing, and technology transfer, committed to advancing vaccine access and health equity in Africa and globally. She is currently leads the establishment of a cutting-edge Vaccine Research Center designed to enhance local vaccine manufacturing capabilities and develop innovative solutions for global health challenges.

With a multidisciplinary background spanning Material Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Micro/Nano Engineering, Dr. Sene has conducted foundational research at prestigious institutions, including the French Atomic Energy Commission and Seoul National University. She later pivoted to vaccine manufacturing during her doctoral studies at McGill University, where she developed scalable, pandemic-ready vaccine production platforms.

At the Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dr. Sene has grown the Advanced Bioprocessing Laboratory into a diverse team utilizing cutting-edge technologies, including mRNA vaccine platforms, viral vaccine manufacturing, and AI-driven vaccine design. Her efforts are setting new standards for vaccine innovation in Africa.

Beyond her scientific achievements, Dr. Sene drives strategic partnerships and technology transfer initiatives, ensuring the smooth delivery of projects and effective knowledge sharing with international and regional collaborators. Through her efforts, Dr. Sene is helping to build a stronger foundation for vaccine innovation and health security in Africa. Her work exemplifies the power of science to create meaningful and sustainable solutions.

Dr. Yakhya Dieye is the Head of the Microbiology Department at the Institut Pasteur de Dakar and an Associate Professor at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar. A distinguished bacteriologist and molecular geneticist, Dr. Dieye brings extensive expertise in genetic engineering, bacterial pathogenesis, and the development of bacteria-based delivery systems for biologics. His work is at the forefront of addressing antimicrobial resistance in sub-Saharan Africa, where he leads a comprehensive portfolio of research and initiatives targeting this critical global health challenge.

Rino Rappuoli is the Scientific Director of the Biotecnopolo di Siena Foundation in Italy and holds prominent academic positions, including Honorary Professor of Vaccinology at Imperial College, London, and Senior Professor of Molecular Biology at the University of Siena. He has had a distinguished career, serving as Head of R&D and Chief Scientist at GSK Vaccines, Head of Vaccine R&D at Novartis, CSO at Chiron Corporation, and Head of R&D at Sclavo. Rappuoli earned his PhD in Biological Sciences at the University of Siena and has been a visiting scientist at Rockefeller University and Harvard Medical School. He is an elected member of prestigious institutions like the US National Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society of London. He has received numerous awards, including the Albert B. Sabin Gold Medal, the Canada Gairdner International Award, and the European Inventor Award for Lifetime Achievement. Rappuoli is recognized as a leading figure in vaccinology and was named the third-most influential person in the field at the 2013 Terrapinn World Vaccine Congress. He introduced innovative concepts like reverse vaccinology and genetic detoxification, developing several licensed vaccines, including acellular pertussis and conjugate vaccines for meningococcus. Rappuoli also founded the GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health.

Dr. Amadou Alpha Sall is a virologist and public health expert, holding a PhD from the Pierre and Marie Curie University in Paris. A specialist in arboviruses and viral hemorrhagic fevers, he has published more than 200 scientific articles in renowned journals. Since 2016, he has served as the General Administrator of the Institut Pasteur de Dakar, where he has held several key positions, including Head of the Virology Laboratory.
Dr. Sall has played a critical role in several African countries during the Ebola, Zika, and COVID-19 outbreaks, as well as in other public health emergencies, leading field missions. He is a recognized educator, having trained students at various international institutions. A member of numerous scientific committees, he has chaired the Pasteur Network since 2021, a global network of 30 institutes.
Honored with several prestigious awards, he is regularly consulted by international organizations such as the WHO for his expertise. Dr. Amadou Sall is a respected leader in research and the management of public health crises both in Africa and beyond.

Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu is the Deputy Executive Director of the Health Emergencies Programme at the World Health Organization (WHO). Previously, he served as the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) from July 2016 to October 2021, transforming it into one of Africa’s leading public health agencies. He also served as Interim Director of the West Africa Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control in 2017. Dr. Ihekweazu is trained as an infectious disease epidemiologist, with leadership experience at various national public health agencies, including South Africa’s NICD, the UK’s Health Protection Agency, and Germany’s Robert Koch Institute. He has been involved in several WHO-led responses to infectious disease outbreaks and has contributed to building surveillance systems globally. Dr. Ihekweazu holds a medical degree from the University of Nigeria and a Master’s in Public Health from Heinrich-Heine University, Germany. He has over 150 publications on infectious disease epidemiology. His accolades include an Honorary Doctor of Science (DSc) from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and Nigeria’s National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM), awarded by the President for his services to public health.

Dr. Carlo Costantini is a prominent researcher at the French Institute of Research and Development (IRD). He specializes in medical entomology and evolutionary biology, focusing on mosquito vectors of human diseases, particularly malaria. His work explores mosquito ecology, population genetics, and vector-host interactions, contributing to strategies for vector control. Dr. Costantini has conducted extensive fieldwork in Africa, collaborating on studies to understand the dynamics of Anopheles mosquito populations. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications that enhance knowledge of vector biology and disease transmission. His expertise supports innovative approaches to malaria control, including the use of genetic tools. Dr. Costantini is a key figure in international research networks tackling vector-borne diseases. He actively mentors young scientists and promotes capacity-building in endemic regions. His interdisciplinary work bridges entomology, ecology, and public health. Dr. Costantini's efforts contribute significantly to global efforts to combat malaria and other vector-borne disease.

Prof. Heidi J. Larson, PhD, is the Founder and Director of the Vaccine Confidence Project (VCP) and a Professor of Anthropology, Risk, and Decision Science at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). She also holds positions as Clinical Professor at the University of Washington and Guest Professor at the University of Antwerp. Prof. Larson's research focuses on vaccine hesitancy, risk management, and the social and political factors influencing public health interventions. She has previously led global immunization communication at UNICEF, chaired Gavi’s Advocacy Task Force, and served on the WHO SAGE Working Group on vaccine hesitancy. Her work aims to build public trust and cooperation, particularly during emergencies like disease outbreaks and natural disasters. She authored STUCK: How Vaccine Rumors Start – and Why They Don’t Go Away (Oxford University Press, 2020), and in 2021, was awarded the Edinburgh Medal and named one of BBC’s 100 most influential women. Prof. Larson is the principal investigator of the EU-funded EBODAC project, studying the acceptance and compliance of the Ebola vaccine in Sierra Leone. The VCP, a WHO Centre of Excellence, addresses vaccine hesitancy through global collaborations, including with the Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination at the University of Antwerp.

He is the Program Leader of the Epidemic Intelligence and Outbreak Response Unit at the Institute Pasteur de Dakar (IPD) and coordinates the expansion of Syndromic Sentinel Surveillance in West Africa. With over 20 years of experience in public health, he has held significant roles in outbreak responses, including as Incident Manager at the WHO Regional Office for Africa during the West African Ebola outbreak in Guinea (2014-2017), the Pulmonary Plaque outbreak in Madagascar (2017-2018), and the Ebola outbreaks in the DRC (2018-2020). He has also collaborated with organizations such as CDC Atlanta on Polio eradication in Guinea, MSF Canada on Malnutrition in Niger, CIDA on HIV in Nigeria, and the Carter Center on Guinea Worm eradication in Mali. His extensive international experience spans over 10 countries, working in developing nations, conflict zones, and fragile states. He is a trained medical doctor with postgraduate qualifications in project management, epidemiology, and infectious disease control. He holds a master’s in Control of Infectious Diseases from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, a Diploma in Project Management from the University of Winnipeg, and a Certificate in Clinical Research Coordination from the University of Alabama.

Dr. Karell G. Pellé is the Head of Health Systems Strengthening unit in the Department of Public Health at Institut Pasteur de Dakar. Dr. Pellé holds a PhD in Biological Sciences in Public Health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She is a public health specialist with over 10 years of experience working internationally with NGOs, research institutions and ministries of health.
Her work focuses on developing and testing innovative strategies to enhance equitable access, quality and acceptance, of diagnostic and vaccination services using digital tools and strengthening epidemic preparedness at community level in sub-Saharan Africa.
Prior to Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dr. Pellé was Senior Scientist, Public Health at FIND, Geneva, and Infectious Disease Programme Manager at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard in Boston.

Bamba Gaye, MSc, MPH, MDc, PhD is an Associate Professor of Biomedical Informatics at Emory School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He trained in biology and specialized in pharmacology and bioinformatics (Master of Science). He pursued advanced studies in integrative epidemiology and biostatistics, focusing on genomic and genetic analysis, earning both a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Paris-Saclay University, Paris, France and a PhD from the university University Paris Descartes, Paris, France. Thereafter, while pursuing his research carrier, he trained in medicine. Earning his Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery from the university University Paris Descartes, Paris, France and pursued MD from the Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal.
Dr. Gaye’s research focuses on preventive cardiology, from primordial prevention to precision medicine, emphasizing the role of genomics, biomarkers, and artificial intelligence in transforming cardiovascular epidemiology. In 2018, he co-founded a global network of methodologists, epidemiologists, clinicians, and researchers, particularly from sub-Saharan Africa. Dr. Gaye plays a central role in the Alliance for Medical Research in Africa (AMedRA), representing 33 countries. He is dedicated to strengthening research capacity, fostering innovation, and ensuring that health research in Africa addresses the continent's unique challenges and needs.