PJ (Paul) Wichgers Schreur MSc

Paul Wichgers Schreur, obtained his PhD in molecular biology from the University of Utrecht after studying the interaction of the zoonotic Streptococcus suis pathogen with the innate immune system of humans and pigs. In 2012, he switched to the field of veterinary virology and started as a postdoctoral researcher at Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR), previously known as Central Veterinary Institute of Wageningen University and Research. Using techniques like reverse-genetics, single-molecule microscopy, and ‘bacterial superglue’ he studied the infection cycle of bunyaviruses and used this knowledge to (co)developed therapeutic antibodies and candidate vaccines of which a Rift Valley fever virus vaccine candidate is currently taken beyond the proof of concept phase in both the livestock and human vaccine field. Paul is currently a senior virologist in the arbovirology group of Prof. Jeroen Kortekaas and is heavily involved in setting up and guiding trials. Paul (co)authored >20 peer-reviewed publications. He was formal co-applicant of the Zoonoses Anticipation and Preparedness Initiative (ZAPI: http://www.zapi-imi.eu/), a project that aims to develop novel pipelines for the development of vaccines and antibodies against emerging zoonotic diseases. Paul is co-inventor of vaccine platform technologies. Corresponding intellectual property rights were transferred from WBVR to BunyaVax B.V. He currently supports BunyaVax B.V. as Chief Operational Officer (COO), but does not benefit financially from these activities.