Professor Maria Zambon

Professor Zambon is scientifically and medically qualified, with a record of personal scientific achievements and leadership roles in public health virology. She joined the Public Health Service (PHLS) in 1994 as a clinical virologist with influenza expertise to head the UK National Influenza Laboratory and has worked in the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), and its predecessor/successor organisations, on influenza and other respiratory viruses. Professor Zambon has a wide range of national and international experience in leading clinical studies and investigating infectious disease outbreaks, and has strategic and operational roles in responding to new and emerging infections. During this time, her group has developed data in many different emergency situations which have influenced globally in the field of diagnostics, vaccines and antivirals, underpinning policy decisions in national and international public health e.g., SARS; avian, pandemic and seasonal influenza; MERS; and COVID-19.

Professor Zambon served on the IHR Emergency Committee concerning Influenza Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.

Professor Zambon is the UKHSA Co-Director of Respiratory Health Protection Unit of the National Institute for Health and Care Research with Imperial College London and undertakes a wide range of international scientific advisory work.