Malik Peiris

Malik Peiris is a Sri Lankan virologist and vaccinologist known for his significant contributions to the understanding and control of emerging viral diseases, particularly influenza and coronaviruses. He is a professor at the University of Hong Kong's School of Public Health and holds the Tam Wah-Ching Professor in Medical Science.

Peiris's research focuses on the pathogenesis, epidemiology, and control of newly emerging viral infections that threaten human and animal health. He played a key role in identifying the SARS coronavirus as the causative agent of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic in 2003 and has since been involved in extensive research on other coronaviruses, including MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2.

His work encompasses investigations into the animal origins of these viruses, their modes of transmission, and the development of diagnostic tools and vaccines. He has published extensively in leading scientific journals and is a frequently cited expert in the field of virology.

Peiris has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to science and public health, including the Chevalier de l'Ordre National du Mérite from the French government. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society. His research is instrumental in informing public health policies and strategies for pandemic preparedness and response globally.