Dr George Fu Gao

Dr Gao is a world-leading virologist and immunologist who has made some great contributions for the field. He is well known for his scientific contributions to the understanding of the molecular recognition of immune receptors to their ligands and molecular basis of the pathogenicity and interspecies transmission (host-jump) of pathogens, in particular, influenza viruses and other enveloped viruses including coronaviruses, which provide insight into drug, vaccine and antibody development and the prevention and control of infections worldwide. His interests also include global public health and health strategy, and is an advocate of international collaboration in global public health. Gao pioneers the COVID-19 research and control with virus discovery, vaccine and therapeutic monoclonal antibody development etc. Gao obtained his Ph. D. degree from Oxford University, UK and did his postdoc work in both Oxford University and Harvard University (with a brief stay in Calgary University). Gao worked in Beijing Agricultural University (1986-1991), Oxford University (2001-2006), Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy Sciences (2004-2008, Director-General). China CDC (Director-General, 2017-2022), National Science Foundation of China (Vice-President, 2018-). Gao is a member (academician) of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), an international member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS), a foreign member of the U.K. Royal Society (RS), a member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, a fellow of African Academy of Sciences and a fellow of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS).