Malik Peiris

Professor Malik Peiris stands as a pioneering figure in virology and emerging infectious diseases at the University of Hong Kong, where he serves as the Tam Wah-Ching Professor in Medical Science and Chair Professor of Virology at the School of Public Health. His groundbreaking work includes being the first to isolate the SARS coronavirus in 2003, developing rapid diagnostic tests, and making crucial contributions to understanding avian influenza viruses. Born in Sri Lanka in 1949, he completed his DPhil at Oxford University in 1981, focusing on virus-antibody interactions. After establishing virology departments in Sri Lanka and working in Newcastle, he moved to Hong Kong in 1995, where he transformed our understanding of emerging viral diseases. His research employs a "One-Health" approach, examining the intersection of animal and human health. Currently, he co-directs the WHO H5 Reference Laboratory and WHO SARS-CoV-2 reference laboratory while serving on multiple advisory committees. His contributions have earned him prestigious recognitions including Fellowship of the Royal Society of London in 2006, election as Foreign Associate of National Academy of Sciences in 2017, and the Canada Gairdner Global Health Award in 2021. Known for his collaborative leadership style and commitment to mentoring, Peiris continues his work on potential pandemic threats including H5N1 bird flu and MERS coronavirus, while maintaining strong ties to his native Sri Lanka through biannual visits and lectures.