Dr Rosina Ehmann

Dr Rosina Ehmann studied veterinary medicine and conducted her PhD during 2013 to 2018 on the pathogenesis of feline coronavirus using reverse genetic techniques based on poxvirus vectors. She thereby not only gained profound knowledge of synthetic biology and molecular biology toolboxes, but also combined to virus families that would be of epidemic and pandemic interest in the following years.  

After her PhD Rosina joined the German Armed Medical Forces at the Bundeswehr Institue of Microbiology and specialized on highly pathogenic viruses and intracellular organisms. The Institue shelters one of most comprehensive collection of different poxvirus species and isolates with a focus on orthopoxviruses. Rosina maintains and extends the collection and is further working on host-pathogen interactions in poxviruses, novel viruses (for example equine molluscum contagiosum virus), novel virus protein families and propagation techniques for challenging viruses. The Institute also nurtures a complex network of international relationships with partners in different countries to conduct training exchange combined with sampling tours. Rosina was able to join two missions to the Tunisian desert searching for pathogens in camels and other livestock.  

Together with her veterinary education and previous expeditions in wildlife sampling (Finland), she has experience as a keen field worker and epidemiologist.