International Society for antiviral research

WOMEN IN SCIENCE ROUNDTABLE:

A Discussion with a Panel of 'Antiviral Drug Hunters'

Monday, March 17, 2025 from 12:00 - 1:45 PM

Sponsored by

This event is now full.  You may add your name to the waitlist during registration.  If there are cancellations, ICAR Staff will reach out to you.

The WIS Committee is excited to announce the 13th Annual Women in Science Roundtable. This session, the first event on the first day of ICAR, will be held on Monday, March 17, from 12:00 – 1:45 PM. Registration will occur from noon-12:30 PM. It is open to both women and men, and will feature discussions on the challenges and opportunities encountered by women scientists while navigating the twists and turns of career progression in today’s environment. This roundtable will provide an opportunity to participate in a discussion entitled ‘Antiviral Drug Hunters” with a panel of leading antiviral scientists in the pharmaceutical industry as well as academia.  Please join us to network with fellow scientists in industry, government, and academia who conduct all aspects of antiviral research.

This event is free, but it’s limited to 80 participants, so register now! Select “Women in Science Roundtable” in the Events section when you register for ICAR.  Lunch will be provided.

PLENARY SPEAKERS

Monday, March 17, 2025 from 2:00 - 3:50 PM

Pei-Yong Shi, GSK

Pandemic Preparedness through Academia, Industry, and Government Partnership

Pei-Yong Shi is internationally recognized for his contributions to viral research (SARS-CoV-2, dengue, Zika, and West Nile viruses) with >430 papers; and for his leadership in academia and industry in developing antivirals and vaccines that are in human use. A recent example is his development of the first peer-reviewed infectious clone of SARS-CoV-2, which enabled the rapid development of the first COVID mRNA vaccine; he also generously shared this critical research tool with >300 laboratories to advance COVID research. He joined GSK as Head of Viral Vaccines in 2023 to develop novel vaccines for viral diseases. Prior to GSK, he was Vice President for Research Innovation and John Sealy Distinguished Chair in Molecular Biology at University of Texas Medical Branch.

Ruxandra Draghia-Akli, INTREPID Alliance

The Urgency of Now: The Value of Antivirals for Pandemic Preparedness and Efforts to Accelerate Their Development

Throughout her career, Dr. Draghia-Akli has contributed to the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel products to improve public health and protect at-risk populations from diseases caused by new and known pathogens. Her career has included focus in the areas of genomic medicine, advanced therapies, vaccines, and infectious diseases including the medical aspect of regulations, policy, and global health.

As an M.D., Ph.D., her career began in the study of human genetics and advanced therapies, notably on rare diseases. She began working in gene therapies in the early stages of that research. As a scientific co-founder and research lead, her team delivered the first gene therapy product approved for any animal application in 2007.

Most recently, at Johnson & Johnson, she had the privilege of building a world class, diverse Global Public Health R&D organization, delivering groundbreaking innovation to address climate-related, emerging, and entrenched health threats, such as Dengue, coronaviruses, antimicrobial resistance, tuberculosis, and leprosy.

She is known for building exceptional partnerships and collaborations that further medicine. She led the European Commission Health Programs of Research and Innovation, including the creation and implementation of successful public-private partnerships, such as the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) and the International Rare Diseases Research Consortium (IRDiRC). She also served as Co-Chair of the Therapeutics Clinical Working Group for ACTIV (The Accelerating COVID-19 Therapeutic Interventions and Vaccines), a public-private partnership spearheaded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

Currently, Dr. Draghia-Akli is a member of the 100 Days Mission, Science and Technology Expert Group of the International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat (IPPS), and the Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of INTREPID Alliance, a consortium of innovative biopharmaceutical companies dedicated to accelerating the pipeline of antiviral treatments to help protect the world ahead of future pandemics. 

FIRST TIMER & NEW MEMBER BREAKFAST

Tuesday, March 18, 2025 from 7:00 am - 8:00 am

Join us for a relaxed and welcoming breakfast where first-time attendees and new members can get to know one another in an informal setting. This is a fantastic opportunity to network, learn about ISAR, and get answers to any questions you may have. Enjoy a light breakfast, introductions, and a brief overview of what to expect during your time with us.

Who Should Attend: This session is perfect for those who are attending for the first time or have recently joined ISAR.

PECHAKUCHA COMPETITION

Tuesday, March 18, 2025 from 10:45 am - 11:45 am

Get ready to be entertained and informed!  Join us for a fun session as finalists present live their PechaKucha presentations.  Be prepared for some humor, a few surprises and maybe something unexpected.

What is PechaKucha? 

PechaKucha is a presentation format where you have 15 slides, each on the screen for only 20 seconds. Your slides advance automatically so you have to keep up with the slides, as you won’t have control of the speed. Some tips on a good PechaKucha presentation – incorporate humor, a surprise or something that is unexpected. Bottom line, you want to entertain the team of judges as well as inform!

Why compete? 

Great opportunity to showcase your creativity!  And there will be three cash prizes - $250 for first place, $125 for second place and $75 for third place, but only graduate students and postdocs are eligible to compete.  Prior year PechaKucha winners are not eligible to compete.

Need inspiration?  Check out the 2018 ICAR PechaKucha winner at https://youtu.be/AYRHKWg3U0I. 

ISAR ANNUAL MEETING

Tuesday, March 18, 2025 from 11:45 am - 12:00 pm

Join us for a brief update about the Society and learn how you can become more involved!  Not a member yet?  Learn about membership benefits and Join ISAR Now!

CAREER DEVELOPMENT SESSION - INTERACTIVE CAREER ROUNDTABLE

Tuesday, March 18, 2025 from 12:15 - 1:15 pm

Chaired by Robert Jordan

This event is now full.  You may add your name to the waitlist during registration.  If there are cancellations, ICAR Staff will reach out to you.

The ICAR Career Development Session will feature an interactive Career Roundtable this year, designed especially for early-career scientists and trainees. This roundtable offers a unique chance for early-career researchers to connect with established scientists across diverse fields—including academia, industry, government, and NGOs—who will share valuable insights into career development, navigating challenges, and uncovering scientific opportunities. Attendees will also have the opportunity to build connections with their peers, fostering a supportive community of emerging scientists. Each table will focus on a specific career path, allowing for brief, engaging discussions with several senior scientists in a relaxed, small-group setting. The session will conclude with an informal networking moment to continue the conversations and connections

Pre-registration for this event is required.  This session is designed especially for early-career scientists and trainees. Please only choose this session if you currently fall into these categories.