UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) continues to gain international recognition through outstanding academic achievements. Dr. Arif Nur Muhammad Ansori, a researcher from UNAIR’s Postgraduate School, has been appointed as a member of the Scientific Program Committee for the prestigious 2025 International Virus Bioinformatics Meeting (ViBioM). The conference is set to take place from May 13–15, 2025, at the Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT) in Lisbon, Portugal.
ViBioM is a globally renowned conference that brings together leading scientists in virology and bioinformatics. Dr. Ansori expressed immense pride in being the sole representative from Indonesia. “I am honored to join a distinguished scientific committee comprised of experts from Germany, Canada, Finland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, and other countries,” he stated.
His selection not only brings prestige to Universitas Airlangga but also strengthens Indonesia’s presence in the global virology and bioinformatics research community.
Dedication and research contributions
In a recent interview, Dr. Ansori conveyed his gratitude and enthusiasm for contributing to ViBioM 2025. He emphasized that the conference provides a vital platform for fostering collaboration among scientists, sharing the latest research findings, and discussing innovative strategies to combat emerging viral threats.
“Viruses are complex and ever-evolving. My work in virology and bioinformatics has taught me to think critically and adaptively, particularly in light of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic that disrupted the world in 2020. I find these challenges both engaging and rewarding,” he remarked.
As a virologist, Dr. Ansori highlighted one of his most significant research achievements: successfully sequencing the complete genome of an Indonesian SARS-CoV-2 isolate. Additionally, he mapped the virus’s spike (S) protein pattern, identifying its potential as an antigen capable of triggering immune responses. “This research serves as a crucial foundation for understanding the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and paves the way for vaccine and therapeutic development,” he explained.
Advancing multidisciplinary collaboration
As a member of the Scientific Program Committee, Dr. Ansori seeks to expand his network and foster international research collaborations. He firmly believes that interdisciplinary partnerships are key to addressing global health challenges. “Cross-disciplinary collaboration is essential in overcoming future viral threats,” he emphasized.
Currently, Dr. Ansori is exploring partnerships for a genome-editing project focused on virulent viruses, with the goal of developing vaccines or therapeutic agents. Additionally, he is deeply engaged in global health issues, particularly the impact of climate change on the spread of infectious diseases.
“Scientific progress cannot be achieved in isolation. To effectively combat viral threats, we must build new partnerships—both domestically and internationally—while integrating expertise from diverse disciplines,” he concluded.
Author: Ahmad Hanif Musthafa
Editor : Edwin Fatahuddin
