Raul Andino Pavlovsky

Biosketch

Raul Andino, PhD, is Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of California, San Francisco, and an internationally recognized leader in RNA virology. His career spans more than 40 years, beginning with graduate studies in Argentina and postdoctoral work at MIT and Rockefeller University with Nobel laureate David Baltimore. Since joining UCSF in 1992, Dr. Andino has built a pioneering research program uncovering how RNA viruses replicate, evolve, and interact with their hosts. His discoveries have reshaped vaccine design, including the development of next-generation oral polio vaccines now used worldwide to support eradication efforts. He has also made major contributions to understanding dengue and Zika viruses, antiviral immunity, and strategies for new therapeutics. Widely funded by NIH, DARPA, and the Gates Foundation, his work bridges fundamental biology with global health applications. A dedicated mentor and advisor, Dr. Andino has trained numerous scientists and served on national and international panels guiding virology research. His achievements have earned him prestigious honors, including the Beijerinck Virology Prize, the Humboldt Research Award, and election to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences in 2025.

Research Interests

Raul Andino’s research focuses on the mechanisms of RNA virus infection and adaptation to dynamic environments. His work has illuminated the viral replication strategies, including the remodeling of polysomes and the engagement of host proteostasis networks in viral protein biogenesis, replication, and assembly. He has pioneered experimental and computational approaches to study the evolution of RNA viruses, linking genetic diversity to viral fitness and adaptation. These advances have significantly deepened our understanding of viral population dynamics and informed the development of innovative strategies to combat disease. Notable achievements include the development of a novel oral poliovirus vaccine (nOPV) that supports global eradication efforts, and groundbreaking discoveries on antiviral RNA interference (RNAi) mechanisms in insects and viral counter-defense strategies. His scientific contributions have been recognized with prestigious honors, including the M.W. Beijerinck Virology Prize, the Humboldt Research Award, and election as a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology.