Christian Bréchot, MD, PhD
President, Global Virus Network
Christian Bréchot holds MD and PhD degrees. Beginning in 1981 he studied molecular biology, virology, and cellular biology at the laboratory of Pierre Tiollais at the Pasteur Institute, and at the Necker school of medecine (Paris Descartes University); he obtained his PhD in biochemistry from the University of Paris VII in 1985.
In 1989, he became full professor of Cell Biology and Hepatology,at Paris Descartes University and in 1997 he was appointed head of the clinical department of liver diseases at the Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital. He was head of a research unit at the Necker Faculty of Medicine, jointly supported by Inserm, Paris Descartes University, and the Pasteur Institute; he was also head of the National Reference Centre on viral hepatitis from 1998 to 2001.
From 2001 to 2007, Christian Bréchot was General Director of Inserm, the French National Agency for biomedical research. In 2008, he was appointed as Vice-President of Medical and Scientific Affairs of the Institut Merieux company, where he merged the efforts of four sectors including in vitro diagnostics, preventive vaccines, therapeutic vaccines, as well as food safety (Biomérieux, Transgene, Merieux Nutrisciences, Advanced Bioscience Laboratory). From October 2013- September 2017, Dr. Bréchot served as President of the Institut Pasteur developing programs to recruit eminent scientists, implementing an international multidisciplinary education and teaching program, fostering collaborative research and training strategies with major universities and research organizations, coalescing the international network of 33 Pasteur Institutes to encompass a global scientific vision and coordinated training activities, and positioning an ambitious and internationally oriented strategy for technology transfer and fundraising.
Dr. Bréchot joined the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine part time as Senior Associate Dean for Research in Global Affairs, Associate Vice President for International Partnerships and Innovation, and Professor in the Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine. Tampa Since October 2017, he has served as President of the Global Virus Network.
Dr. Bréchot’s research activities have been focussed on viral hepatitis: hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV), particularly with regard to their role in liver cancer (Hepatocellular carcinoma: HCC) and to the molecular mechanisms that drive liver regeneration and cancer (in particular, cell cycle deregulation and the impact of oxydative stress). He has been the member of numerous scientific committees and societies and has received prestigious awards. Dr. Bréchot is the author of over 350 articles published in medical and scientific journals. In addition, his research activities have led him to obtain 13 patents and to contribute to the creation of three biotech companies : Rarecells, ALFACT Innovation and The Healthy Aging Company.
Linman Li, MBA, MPH, PMP, CPH
Vice President of Operations and Partnership
Mrs. Li serves as the Vice President of Operational and Partnership at Global Virus Network (GVN). Her role includes overseeing the development and operational activities for GVN. She is also responsible for securing contracts, developing strategic business plans, promoting GVN worldwide, and establishing partnerships with both public and private sectors.
She received a Master of Public Health from USF in 2019, a Master of Business Administration from USF in 2013 and a B.A in Finance from the Chongqing Technology and Business University, China in 2010. Mrs. Li has extensive experience in strategic/business plan development, contract negotiations, budget planning and management, organizational development, business outreach, project management, public relations, and partnership development.
Prior to joining GVN, Mrs. Li served as the Associate Director of USF Medicine International and Director of Asia Programs at the Morsani College of Medicine (MCoM), University of South Florida (USF), Tampa, Florida.
Mrs. Li is committed to promoting institutional partnerships that are sustainable and mutually advantageous. In 2016, she developed a Sister City agreement between the City of Tampa and the City of Lanzhou, China. Through her extraordinary efforts in developing this agreement between the mayors of both cities, she was appointed as Chair for China collaboration through the Tampa Sister Cities Committee and directs this major partnership between Tampa and Lanzhou.
Mrs. Li was the first recipient for the USF President Genshaft Outstanding Global Achievement Award. She is also a member for American College of Healthcare Executives, Tampa Bay Area Council on Foreign Relations, and Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Tampa Bay. Mrs. Li is also actively involved in Project Management Institute at Tampa Bay Chapter.
Email: [email protected]
Marcus Gallo, MS
Research Analyst & Center Outreach Coordinator
Marcus is responsible for a range of activities, including work on a GVN-wide project database, business development, and development of an informational tool to merge economic and public health data. Prior to joining GVN, Marcus was an associate at the Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine where he served an analyst and program manager in the Jacques Initiative and other clinical research activities. Marcus has an MS in healthcare administration, and has lived and worked abroad, including in one of the GVN countries – Argentina. Marcus played a key role early on in the formation of the GVN through analytic work which led to identification of many of the GVN Centers of Excellence.
(tel) 410-706-5609
Email: [email protected]
Shin-Hee Kim, PhD
Program Director
Shin-Hee is responsible for developing and implementing the organization’s programs and leading global education, training and scientific initiatives to advance the mission of the organization. Specifically, she assists in GVN’s Task Forces activities and coordinates GVN International meetings, Annual Short Course, International training workshops and Academy project.
Email: [email protected]
Chandrani Raysarkar
Media and Public Relations Senior Specialist
Chandrani develops and implements communication strategies to grow, shape and maintain GVN’s reputation and brand. A large part of Chandrani’s work includes continuous communication about GVN’s various initiatives, collaborations and directives with media and the public. Chandrani also manages knowledge in ways that highly technical information is disseminated easily to end users. In her role, Chandrani examines communication needs at multiple levels and regions of the Network to expand its footprint as the only coalition of virologist of its kind, globally.
Much of Chandrani’s work is influenced by her decade-long experience in international development at the World Bank where she worked at the intersection of development, communication and knowledge management. Chandrani has also worked as a New Delhi based news reporter covering health, education, social development and gender issues.
Email: [email protected]
Kevin Kishpaugh
Operations Associate
Kevin oversees the daily operations of the GVN, dealing with procurement, finances, and logistical organization. Prior to joining GVN, he worked for a law firm specializing in consumer protection and ran media monitoring on a political campaign. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from The George Washington University.
(tel) 410-706-0297
Email: [email protected]