Christian Bréchot, MD, PhD, senior associate dean for Research for Global Affairs and assistant vice president in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, has been elected a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology.
Dr. Bréchot, an internationally recognized virologist and a professor in the Division of Infectious Disease in the Morsani College of Medicine, is one of 65 new fellows from nine countries elected to the Academy this year. He is vice chair of the board and president emeritus of the Global Virus Network, a consortium of more than 80 centers of excellence in more than 40 countries. The network’s international headquarters is at the University of South Florida.
“I am delighted to see Dr. Bréchot recognized for his outstanding work,” said Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, executive vice president of USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine. “His exceptional qualifications, including founding and leading USF Health's Microbiomes Institute, are a testament to a lifetime of dedication to advancing the field of microbial science. His sustained and influential scientific contributions have left a lasting mark on our discipline, and his global leadership in shaping prominent microbiology institutions, including his focus on training the next generation of microbiologists, continue to inspire."
Before joining USF, Dr. Bréchot served as president of the Institut Pasteur in Paris from 2013 to 2017. Dr. Bréchot also was vice president of medical and scientific affairs at Institut-Merieux, a company that develops new approaches to fight infectious diseases and cancers. He also served as president of Inserm, the French national agency for biomedical research (analogous to the National Institutes of Health in the U.S.) from 2002 to 2007. As professor of hepatology and cell biology at Necker School of Medicine, Paris Descartes University, he headed the clinical department of liver diseases at Necker-Enfants Maldes Hospital from 1997 to 2001.
Dr. Bréchot's research expertise spans molecular and cellular biology, virology, hepatology, and oncology. Early in his career, his work focused on viral hepatitis (HBV and HCV), particularly exploring their connection to liver cancer and uncovering the molecular mechanisms involved in liver regeneration and tumor development, including cell cycle deregulation and oxidative stress. More recently, Dr. Bréchot has expanded his research to investigate the role of the C-type lectin, Reg3A/HIP, in developing insulin resistance, diabetic neuropathy, and Alzheimer's disease, making significant strides in understanding these complex conditions.
"Dr. Bréchot's groundbreaking contributions to the study of infectious diseases have significantly advanced our understanding of viral pathogenesis and prevention," said Robert C. Gallo, MD, James P. Cullison Professor of Medicine, director of the USF Health Virology Institute, and director of the Microbial Oncology Program at Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute. “His leadership on a global scale, both as the former head of the prestigious Institut Pasteur and as a current leader in the GVN, has played a crucial role in shaping international health initiatives and fostering worldwide collaboration in viral research. In addition to his scientific achievements, Dr. Bréchot's unwavering dedication to mentoring the next generation of researchers and creating educational opportunities has had a lasting impact on the future of the field, ensuring a new wave of leaders in infectious disease research."
Dr. Gallo is also chairman of the Scientific Leadership Board and co-founder of the GVN, a member of the Academy, a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and a two-time Lasker awardee.
Fellows of the Academy, the honorific leadership group within the American Society for Microbiology, are elected annually through a highly selective, peer-review process based on their records of scientific achievement and original contributions that have advanced microbiology.
"Fellows are pioneers in their field, driving discovery and innovation that push the boundaries of science and benefit society at large," said Vanessa Sperandio, PhD, chair of the Academy Governors. "Being named an Academy Fellow is a prestigious honor, and I am thrilled to extend my congratulations and warm welcome to Dr. Christian Bréchot as a member of the 2025 cohort."
The Academy has over 2,600 fellows representing all subspecialties of the microbial sciences and who are involved in basic and applied research, teaching, public health, industry and government service.