Regional Scientific Meetings

GVN’s Regional Scientific Meetings convene experts, researchers, clinicians, and public health leaders within specific geographic regions to address local viral threats, strengthen scientific collaboration, and build research capacity. These meetings support GVN’s global mission by fostering regional networks, advancing surveillance and diagnostics, and promoting coordinated responses to emerging and re-emerging viruses.

If your region is interested in hosting the GVN Regional Scientific Meeting, please contact us.

GVN 2025 Jamaica

2025 GVN Regional Scientific Meeting- Kingston, Jamaica

The 2025 GVN Regional Scientific Meeting, held in Kingston, Jamaica from May 1–2, 2025, was organized in collaboration with the University of the West Indies (UWI), the State University of New York (SUNY), and the Global Infectious Diseases (GID) Research Training Program. Focusing on the Caribbean and Latin America, the “Arbovirus Research and Education Symposium” brought together regional experts to advance arbovirology, strengthen viral surveillance, and expand scientific collaboration. Key sessions covered vector biology, One Health approaches, vaccinology, pediatric infectious diseases, neurovirulence, and emerging viruses. The program also featured mentoring workshops and research presentations from GID trainees, supporting capacity-building and the development of early-career virologists across the region.

2021 GVN Regional Scientific Meeting- Africa

The 2021 GVN Africa Regional Scientific Meeting, held virtually on July 15, 2021, brought together GVN Centers across the continent to highlight regional research priorities and strengthen collaboration. The program featured presentations from leading virologists in Ghana, South Africa, Uganda, Senegal, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the Central African Republic, highlighting updates on infectious disease surveillance and viral pathogens of regional significance. Special presentations from the GVN Emerging Pathogens Discovery Network and the Global Influenza Hospital Surveillance Network further emphasized global–regional linkages. The meeting concluded with a roundtable discussion addressing shared challenges and opportunities for advancing virology and public health across Africa.

2021 GVN Regional Scientific Meeting- Latin America & Caribbean

The 2021 GVN Latin America–Caribbean Regional Scientific Meeting, held virtually on June 2, 2021, brought together researchers and GVN Centers across the region to share scientific updates and strengthen collaboration. Presentations highlighted advances in molecular biology, arboviruses, One Health initiatives, viral epidemiology, and emerging infectious disease research from Argentina, Colombia, Grenada, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana. Special sessions included updates from the GVN Emerging Pathogens Discovery Network and the Global Influenza Hospital Surveillance Network. A roundtable discussion and closing remarks emphasized shared regional challenges and opportunities for expanding virology research, surveillance capacity, and cross-country collaboration.

2019 GVN Regional Scientific Meeting- Entebbe, Uganda

The 2019 GVN Africa Regional Meeting convened in Entebbe, Uganda, gathering GVN Centers and Affiliates from across the continent to strengthen regional collaboration in research, training, and capacity-building. Discussions focused on ongoing scientific initiatives, education and mentoring needs, partnership opportunities with existing networks, and priority areas for future joint programs. Participants shared expertise across a broad range of viral threats, followed by working sessions to outline goals, resources, and next steps for the regional GVN chapter.