Young researchers in infectious diseases: a look at the future of research

Discover the young ANRS MIE researchers

The 3rd France-Japan scientific symposium, organised at the Institut Pasteur in October 2024 by the ANRS Emerging infectious diseases coordinated action ‘Host-HIV interactions, basic and translational research’ (CA 41), highlighted the importance of international exchanges in research.

Supporting the next generation of scientists is a priority for the agency. In this video, you will discover the young researchers who gravitate around the ‘Host-HIV Interactions’ coordinated action and who embody this commitment.

These interviews offer an insight into their ambitions and visions for the future. Lisa Bertrand, Florian Dubois, Pierre Grégoire and Mitsukaze Watanabe spoke about their academic careers, the importance of international collaboration in their work and the challenges they face as young researchers. Their careers illustrate the diversity and interconnections of the global scientific landscape.

Whether they are exploring HIV escape mechanisms, the impact of environmental factors on the immune response, or neutralising antibodies against flaviviruses, they all share the same ambition: to push back the boundaries of knowledge to better understand and combat infectious diseases.

What lessons can we learn from their experiences?

International exchanges emerge as an essential driver for accessing rare resources, sharing complementary expertise and opening up to new perspectives. But these young scientists also point to concrete challenges: the lack of stable funding, limited access to certain tools, and the need to strengthen institutional support for emerging careers. This video invites you to discover their careers and their aspirations.

Are you a young researcher in infectious diseases?

• Find out about our current and forthcoming calls for projects on the agency’s various areas of interest: HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted infections and emerging infectious diseases.
• Apply until 31 January for three thesis prizes:
  • Dominique Dormont‘ Prize: dedicated to basic and translational research on HIV, with the winners selected by the’Host-virus interactions: basic and translational research on HIV’ coordinated action (CA 41) of the ANRS MIE.
  • Prize for basic research on viral hepatitis: the winners are selected by the‘Basic and translational research on viral hepatitis’ coordinated action (CA 42) of the ANRS MIE.
  • Prize for basic research on emerging and re-emerging viruses: awarded jointly by the SFV and the ANRS MIE.
• Register for the new edition of the Work in progress (WIP) of the ANRS MIE coordinated action (CA) 41 ‘Host-HIV interactions, basic and translational research’. This face-to-face meeting will be held on 25 March at the Institut Pasteur in Paris.

• Find out more about the ANRS MIE Start programme, which is designed to support and guide the next generation of scientific researchers on the agency’s research themes.
• You can register and take part in the Start programme day, which will be held on 31 March 2025 prior to the ANRS MIE scientific days on 1 and 2 April 2025 at the Institut Pasteur in Paris, to which you are also welcome (free but compulsory registration).