Our Team

Sean Whelan, PhD

Chair of the Department of Molecular Microbiology and the Marvin A. Brennecke Distinguished Professor of Microbiology at Washington University School of Medicine

Sean Whelan is an academic virologist renowned for his work on negative-strand RNA viruses and successful development of a powerful reverse genetic system for vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). Dr Whelan’s team leverages the VSV genetic platform to create biosafety level 2 reporter viruses that enable safe experimentation on emerging viral pathogens in standard laboratory conditions – with over 80 pathogens studied to date. With this approach, Dr Whelan’s laboratory has identified cellular receptors for the viruses Ebola, Lassa, Lujo, and HERV-K. Dr Whelan’s group also uses structural approaches to interrogate viral replication machinery, and notably defined the atomic structures of the polymerases of VSV and rabies virus. The innovative work of Dr Whelan’s team yields insights and tools that can be translated into vaccines, with the VSV platform already leading to the development of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine effective in animals and an Ebola vaccine licensed in humans.

Rino Rappuoli, PhD

Scientific Director of the Fondazione Biotecnopolo di Siena

Rino Rappuoli is an immunologist with a celebrated track record of leading vaccine development in the pharmaceutical industry. During his time in industry, Dr Rappuoli led vaccine research and development at Chiron, Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics, and GlaxoSmith Kline. Dr. Rappuoli’s rigorous approaches of studying microbes in the context of their true infection environments and integrating genetic insights into vaccinology drove many successful vaccine efforts, including:

• Characterization of the genetically-detoxified CRM197 variant of diphtheria toxin, enabling the successful use of CRM197 as a carrier for vaccines used worldwide against H. influenzae, N. meningitidis and pneumococcus
• Development of a genetically-detoxified B. pertussis vaccine – the first-ever rationally designed molecule approved for use in humans
• Development of a first-in-class conjugate vaccine against meningococcus C, responsible for disease eradication in the UK
• Securing regulatory approval for the first non-aluminum salt adjuvant in human vaccines, MF59
• Licensure of the first meningococcus B vaccine

Dr Rappuoli recently transitioned to leading research at the Biotecnopolo di Siena Foundation – a strategic initiative focused on developing applied research and innovation in the biotechnology and life science field and key player in international efforts to bolster pandemic preparedness. Dr Rappuoli’s lifelong commitment to and world-renowned expertise in vaccine development will ensure R2P2 discoveries are optimally positioned to be advanced into development and benefit patients.

Anne Moscona, MD

Sherie L. Morrison Professor of Immunology, Pediatrics and Physiology & Cellular Biophysics at Columbia University

Anne Moscona is a physician-scientist recognized worldwide for her insightful studies into paramyxoviruses. Dr Moscona’s team investigates both common pediatric respiratory viruses (parainfluenza, RSV) and newly-emerging lethal viruses (Nipha, Hendra), tied together by a common focus on molecular mechanisms of viral entry into host cells and strategies for blocking entry and infection. Consistent with R2P2’s strategy to tackle questions in virology with a creative and highly interdisciplinary approach, Dr Moscona’s team has a track record of blending strategies drawn from virology with molecular and cell biology, biophysics and structural biology, immunology and computational biology.

Dr Moscona’s commitment to and leadership in the field of virology and pediatric infectious disease is reflected by her extensive service record. Dr Moscona was President of the American Society for Virology (2023-2024), is a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, Member of the American Society of Clinical Investigation, and serves on numerous journal editorial boards, including mBio, the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care, and the Journal of Virology.