Team
Mathew L. Evins
Chief Executive Officer, Global Virus Network
Treasurer & Emeritus Executive Chair, GVN Board
GVN Board Executive Committee
Chairman & CEO, Evins Communications, Ltd.
Founding Board Member & Treasurer, Emeritus Executive Chair, GVN Board of Directors Managing Executive/CEO, Global Virus Network Chairman & CEO, EVINS Communications, Ltd.
Mathew L. Evins is a founding board member and Emeritus Executive Chair of the Global Virus Network (GVN) and currently serves as the organization’s Treasurer and Managing Executive/CEO. Since its inception, he has played a central role in GVN’s development, helping guide its mission to prepare for, defend against, and provide an integrated first research response to existing, emerging, and unidentified viruses that pose a clear and present threat to public health, including COVID-19.
In addition to his leadership at GVN, Mr. Evins is Chairman and CEO of EVINS Communications, an award-winning brand marketing communications and public relations firm specializing in the premium, prestige, and luxury sectors. He previously served as CEO of Pain Therapeutics Corporation, President of Cardiff Consultants, and Vice President of Vector Petroleum Corporation.
While an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania, he co-created and co-published The Talisman Report, which became the world’s leading investment advisory newsletter during its three years of publication. He also served on the staff of Cornell Medical Center for more than six years, where he was the youngest individual ever to hold such a position at an academic medical center in the United States.
Having been privileged to serve as Secretary and Treasurer since the organization’s founding, I am incredibly honored to have been elected to serve as Executive Chairman of the Global Virus Network. I could not be more appreciative nor more grateful for the opportunity of working closely with Dr. Gallo, Dr. Bréchot, Dr. Giroir, and Dr. Vermund, the GVN team, and with my distinguished colleagues on the Board of Directors to advance and further the mission and consequence of the GVN.
The COVID-19 pandemic has conclusively demonstrated the absolute and compelling need for a global and apolitical organization committed to the preparedness, defense, and first research response to emerging, existing, and unidentified viruses that pose a clear and present threat to public health. The GVN was created to address that threat by coalescing eminent virologists, epidemiologists, infectious disease experts and public health specialists throughout the world, working collaboratively and accretively to advance knowledge about how to identify and diagnose pandemic viruses, mitigate and control how such viruses spread and make us sick, train the next generation of virologists, facilitate the development of drugs, vaccines and treatments to combat them as well as addressing the pervasive and often politicized public disinformation and misinformation. The GVN can and must be the definitive go-to authority and resource to anticipate, respond, and mitigate global viral threats, as well as a beacon for advocacy, education, enlightenment, and insight based solely upon science.
The GVN is at a critical inflection point. Thanks to the outstanding acumen and expertise as well as the relationships and resources of the members of the GVN’s board of directors, we are now in a position to make the critical and consequential decisions necessary to advance and further the sustainability of the GVN, both financially and operationally, to ensure the future viability of the organization and make sure that the world will never again be unprepared, untrained, ill-equipped and uninformed to deal with pandemic viruses.”
Sten Vermund, MD, PhD
Chief Medical Officer, Global Virus Network
Distinguished University Health Professor of Public Health and Pediatrics; Dean, USF College of Public Health
Dr. Sten Vermund is a pediatrician and infectious disease epidemiologist focused on diseases of low- and middle-income countries. His work on HIV-HPV interactions among women in Bronx methadone programs motivated a change in the 1993 CDC AIDS case surveillance definition and inspired cervical cancer screening programs launched within HIV/AIDS programs around the world. The thrust of his research has focused on health care access, adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights, and prevention of HIV transmission among general and key populations, including mother-to-child. Dr. Vermund has become increasingly engaged in health policy, particularly around the sustainability of HIV/AIDS programs and their expansion to non-communicable diseases, the coronavirus pandemic response and prevention, and public health workforce development. His recent grants include capacity-building for public health in Chad, molecular epidemiology for HIV in Kazakhstan, and COVID-19 vaccine studies in the Dominican Republic and Connecticut. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he collaborated with schools and arts organizations to mitigate COVID-19 risks and ensure institutional safety. A member of the National Academy of Medicine, Dr. Vermund was awarded a lifetime achievement award from the U.S.-Japan Cooperative Sciences Program in 2025.
The COVID-19 pandemic conclusively demonstrated the compelling need for an independent, globally coordinated organization dedicated to the preparedness, defense, and rapid collaborative research response to emerging, existing, and unidentified viral threats. The Global Virus Network (GVN) stands as a vital force in ensuring that the world is never again caught unprepared, untrained, ill-equipped, or uninformed in the face of viral outbreaks.
GVN unites leading virologists and public health experts from six continents to form a robust, agile, and scientifically driven network. Our mission is clear: to anticipate and respond to viral threats with speed, precision, and collaboration. By fostering real-time information sharing, advancing cutting-edge research, and building global capacity for diagnostics, surveillance, and response, GVN fills a critical gap in the international health landscape.
In an era of increasing global connectivity, climate change, and zoonotic spillover, the emergence of novel pathogens is not a question of “if,” but “when.” GVN’s approach helps mobilize scientific expertise swiftly, transcending borders and bureaucracies. We work with governments, academic institutions, and international health organizations to deliver evidence-based solutions and policy guidance that protect lives and livelihoods.
Importantly, GVN is committed to training the next generation of virologists and public health leaders, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to confront future pandemics. Our global reach and depth of expertise empower us to act decisively and focus on the health and safety of populations worldwide.
The lessons of COVID-19 are clear. The time for reactive measures has passed. Through the Global Virus Network, we are building a future where viral threats are met not with fear and confusion, but with preparedness, unity, and scientific excellence.
Linman Li, MBA, MPH, PMP, CPH
Linman Li serves as Senior Vice President of Operations, Partnerships, and Development for the Global Virus Network (GVN) and Director of the USF Health GVN Global Headquarters at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. With over 13 years of strategic leadership experience in global public health, Linman specializes in operations management, partnership development, and program execution across academic and nonprofit sectors.
At GVN, she has significantly expanded the organization's corporate partnership programs, launched the GVN Academy—training over 150 emerging leaders in virology and global health—and developed crucial resources, including the COVID-19 Variants and Vaccines Portal and the Mpox Resource Portal. Her leadership has strengthened collaborations with academic, government, and private sector partners worldwide.
Previously, as Associate Director and Director of Asia Programs at USF Medicine International, Linman managed extensive international clinical training programs, partnerships, and student exchange initiatives, significantly enhancing USF’s global health footprint.
Linman holds an MBA and an MPH from the University of South Florida, as well as a BA in Finance from Chongqing Technology and Business University in China. She is currently an incoming Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) student at USF's College of Public Health. Certified in Public Health and Project Management, Linman actively contributes to several professional organizations, including the Project Management Institute and the Tampa Bay Area Committee on Foreign Relations. Fluent in Mandarin and English, she remains dedicated to fostering impactful global partnerships and programs.
Email: [email protected]
Nora Samaranayake
Senior Vice President, Marketing, Communications & Public Affairs
Nora Samaranayake is a longtime public relations and public affairs professional with a diverse range of expertise, including special counsel, and has served as Senior Public Relations Advisor to the GVN since 2011. She is also Public Relations Senior Advisor to the University of South Florida (USF) Health Virology Institute, the USF Health Microbiomes Institute, and the Tampa General Hospital (TGH) Cancer Institute.
Nora began her career on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, and eventually transitioned into the private sector, where she worked with high-profile clients on sensitive issues. Through her work in both the public and private sectors, she has a breadth of experience in designing and overseeing public relations campaigns, writing highly visible communications, leading effective advocacy campaigns, implementing public diplomacy initiatives, managing large accounts and teams of professionals to develop, implement, and integrate marketing and messaging strategies. Nora’s positions have been all-encompassing, involving a range of high-profile challenges, including crisis communications, media relations, public policy, marketing and branding, and strategic development.
Previously, she served as Chief Communications & Public Affairs Officer at the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine for more than fifteen years, and she contributed to the co-founding of the GVN.
Email: [email protected]
Elizabeth M. Traverse, PhD
Scientific Project Manager
Dr. Elizabeth M. Traverse, an epidemiologist and molecular biologist, specializes in viral immunopathology and the public health impact of emerging infectious diseases. Her work bridges molecular virology and epidemiological modeling, with a focus on arboviruses, cardiotropic viruses, and neglected tropical diseases. Using techniques such as qPCR, ELISA, and next-generation sequencing, she has investigated viral-induced cardiomyopathy and immune responses in human stem cell-derived models. At the Cleveland Clinic, her research contributed to antiviral drug evaluation and mechanistic insights into host-pathogen interactions. Dr. Traverse integrates statistical modeling in R and Python with experimental data to inform risk mitigation strategies and guide public health decision-making. Her recent publications explore organ-specific manifestations of Chikungunya virus and viral outcomes in vulnerable populations. Passionate about translating science into practice, she has advised cross-disciplinary teams and taught public health immunology to over 1,200 students. Her work supports global health efforts to strengthen diagnostics, surveillance, and epidemic preparedness.
Ruby Ferrari, MPH
Network Administrator
Ruby Ferrari is a Network Administrator for the Global Virus Network (GVN). With a master's in public health from George Washington University and a bachelor's in science from the University of Maryland, she has a background in healthcare, including experience at a dermatologist's office and as a Biologics Coordinator in the insurance industry. Ruby is skilled in academic research, time management, patient care, and health data analysis, utilizing tools such as Tableau and eClinicalWorks. Passionate about improving public health and healthcare access, she is an efficient, reliable team player committed to driving positive change in healthcare.
Avita Ukpabia
Program Administrator
Avita Ukpabia serves as the Program Administrator, accumulating over three years of broad experience in program coordination and management since joining the organization. Her journey at GVN began with the coordination of Academy programs, which included the Rising Star Mentorship Program, the Short Course in Translational Virology, and the Post-doctoral Fellowship, among other initiatives.
She was instrumental in the revitalization of the Short Course in Translational Virology, which was stifled by the pandemic, and led the development and establishment of the intranet system. Currently, she manages the administrative systems essential for the smooth operation of organizational programs.
Avita takes a creative and insightful approach to each project, integrating various elements to ensure the successful execution of project objectives, no matter the scale. She has previously supervised a food insecurity awareness project in collaboration with a local organization and served as an intern on a project aimed at partnering with the United States Congress on global health efforts.
She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health Science from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Email: [email protected]
Danielle DeNofrio, MPH, CPH
Junior Content Specialist
Danielle DeNofrio serves as the Junior Content Specialist for the Global Virus Network (GVN), where she supports the organization’s communications, marketing, and outreach initiatives. In this role, she develops and manages content for GVN’s social media platforms, focusing on global public health messaging and virology updates. She also contributes to website management, ensuring the accuracy of program and research content, and supports the development of newsletters, educational materials, press releases, and digital reports.
Danielle began her journey with GVN as a Scientific Programs Intern while completing her Master of Public Health in Epidemiology at the University of South Florida, where she focused on infectious disease epidemiology and applied biostatistics. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh.
Danielle brings a passion for science communication and a strong foundation in global health, supporting GVN’s mission to strengthen international collaboration in virus research and pandemic preparedness.
Email: [email protected]
Aline Valle, MSPM
Marketing & Multimedia Specialist
Aline Valle holds a Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship in Applied Technologies and a Master’s in Management and Project Management from the University of South Florida (USF), along with a Bachelor’s degree in Dentistry from the Universidade de Taubaté in Brazil. With a multidisciplinary background, she combines her expertise in science, technology, and design to support global health and research communication.
Since 2024, Aline has led graphic design, website management, and digital communications for the Global Virus Network (GVN). She is responsible for developing the organization’s branding, visual identity, marketing materials, and digital outreach strategies. Her work is critical in promoting GVN’s mission to prepare the next generation for emerging infectious diseases through all GVN initiatives. She creates compelling content that engages global audiences in virology, public health, and pandemic education.
In parallel, she also works at the USF Microbiomes Institute as an Instructional Multimedia Developer, managing marketing materials and digital assets for the website and social media. Her creative contributions support the promotion of microbiome-related research and international collaboration.
Through her strategic and visually impactful communication, Aline strengthens the visibility of scientific initiatives, fosters public engagement, and bridges the gap between research and real-world impact.
Email: [email protected]
Daniel Ramos
Scientific Programs Intern
Daniel Ramos is a graduate student at the University of South Florida, where he is pursuing a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Global Communicable Disease. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from the University of South Florida.
Daniel is involved in graduate research related to Onchocerciasis and ELIZAs. He also volunteers at AdventHealth Tampa on weekends.
Email: [email protected]
Labiba Tahsin, MPH, CPH
Scientific Programs Intern
Labiba Tahsin is a recent graduate from the University of South Florida, where she completed a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and minors in Community Engaged Security & Emergency Management and Environmental Health from the University of South Florida.
Labiba’s previous graduate work with Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Applied Biostatistics, as well as her prior experience with the Florida Health Department and as a pharmacy technician, demonstrate her background and continued interest in promoting public health.
Email: [email protected]
