Dr Ilaria Capua is a veterinarian by training, and has devoted most of her professional life to virology. She has obtained her qualifications in Italy, Perugia (DVM), Pisa (Post Graduate Specialisation) and Padova (PhD), and has trained in virology in several labs worldwide.
After Italy's general elections on February 24 -25 Ilaria Capua became member of the Italian Parliament within Scelta Civica - Con Monti per l'Italia. Until then she was Director of the Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences at the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, (Padova) Italy and of the International Reference Laboratory for Animal influenza and of the OIE Collaborating Centre for Diseases at the Human–Animal Interface. Her group of over 70 staff provided - and still does - diagnostic expertise globally and conducts cutting edge research on influenza viruses and viral zoonoses, funded by the EC and other international organisations.
In 2000 she developed the “DIVA” vaccination system for avian influenza, the first to successfully eradicate an influenza epidemic. In 2006 she ignited an international debate on sharing of genetic data across disciplines in the face of the H5N1 “birdflu” epidemic using web based platforms in an open access environment. This debate eventually led to policy changes at an international level on sharing of data for improved pre-pandemic preparedness.
In 2007 she was among the winners of the Scientific American 50 award and in 2008 was included among Seed Magazine’s “Revolutionary Minds”, for leadership in science policy. She In 2011 she was the first woman recipient of the Penn Vet World Leadership Award, the most prestigious award in veterinary medicine.
In 2012 she has been given the Gordon Memorial Medal in UK for her contribution to research; in 2013 she has been awarded from Italy’s Accademia dei Lincei and in 2014 she received the Excellence Award from ESCMID, the European Society of clinical microbiology and infectious diseases.
In June 2016 she moved to University of Florida in Gainesville as Director of the One Health Center of Excellence.
In December 2016 she was appointed Honourary Accademic Member of the Accademia dei Georgofili, which, founded in Florence in 1753, is to improve and contribute to the progress of agricultural studies in order to preserve the environment and develop the rural world.
ILARIA CAPUA's CV and LIST of PUBLICATIONS
Member of the Italian Parliament (15 March 2013- ), in the political party founded by former Prime Minister and EU Commissioner, Mario Monti.
Vice-President of the 7th Parliamentary Commission “Culture, Science and Education”; since July 2015 Scelta Civica main representative at 14th Parliamentary Commission "UE Policies".
Director of the Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences at the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Legnaro (Padova - Italy).
Director of the FAO/OIE and National Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease, OIE and National Collaborating Center for Diseases at the Human - Animal Interface (on leave of absence following my election as a Member of Parliament)
RECENT PROFESSIONAL assignments
2013- 2018: Visiting Professor, University of Glasgow, Center for Virus Research
2012: Member of the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium (ISARIC) - Advisory Board
2012-ongoing: Member of the EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Animal Welfare
2011-ongoing:Member of the OFFLU working group on Human Animal interface issues of animal influenzas
2009: Senior Policy Advisor to the Director, National C