Isabel Leroux-Roels

Isabel Leroux-Roels is a physician (UGent, 2002), specialized in medical microbiology and infection control. In 2003 Isabel joined the Center for Vaccinology (CEVAC) at Ghent University and UZ Gent as a sub-investigator and in 2017 she became principal investigator and head of department. Since 2011 Isabel also works as a clinical microbiologist and infection control physician at UZ Gent. She is associate professor at Ghent University and teaches vaccinology, microbiology and infection control. Isabel is a member of the vaccination working group of the Superior Health Council (Hoge Gezondheidsraad).

The CEVAC is a research center specialized in conducting clinical vaccine studies in healthy volunteers and evaluating the humoral and cellular immune responses elicited by these novel vaccines. Isabel leads a team of about 40 members. CEVAC has played an important role in the evaluation of various candidate vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 virus during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Isabel’s research is focused on several aspects of vaccinology, in particular on novel adjuvants and respiratory viruses, such as influenza, RSV and SARS-CoV-2. She has published more than 40 papers in international peer-reviewed journals.

Through regular communication (in the press, via webinars, etc.), Isabel also wants to contribute to informing healthcare providers and the wider public about the importance of vaccination and the safety and efficacy of vaccines, in particular of the COVID-19 vaccines.