Maria R. Capobianchi was graduated in Biology (1976), and obtained his specialty degree in Microbiology and Virology (1988). Since the year 2000, she is the Director of the Laboratory of Virology and of BSL3/BSL4 facility at the National Institute for Infectious Diseases (INMI), Rome, where she is in charge of diagnostic and research activity on viral diseases. Since 2015 she chairs the Department of Epidemiology, Preclinical Research and Advanced Diagnostics.

Dr. Capobianchi has more than two decade-long expertise in basic and diagnostic virology, is particularly skilled on emerging viral infections, is member of the “WHO collaborating center for clinical care, diagnosis, response and training on Highly Infectious Diseases” established at INMI in 2009. She has served as an expert for West Nile, Chikungunya, Ebola and other emerging viruses to numerous public health organizations including the ECDC, the Italian Ministry of Health, the National Transplant Center and the National Blood Center.

Research activity is focused on viral pathogenesis, naturally and acquired antiviral immunity, molecular epidemiology of viruses, emerging/re-emerging viral infections, design and validation of innovative diagnostic methods.
Dr. Capobianchi is an active member of international microbiology societies, and participates to several networks focused on emerging infections. She has been project and program manager of numerous research projects funded by domestic institutions (Italian Ministry of Health, Lazio Regional Health Authority), and international bodies (European Union, US Food and Drug Administration).

By the end of 2018, Dr. Capobianchi has authored 474 publications, including 398 peer reviewed articles (source: PubMed), with 7.657 citations. H index: 43, excluding self citations; (Source: Scopus); she is among the list of Via-Academy’s Top Italian Scientists.

Honoured with the title “Cavaliere al merito della Repubblica” for having particularly distinguished herself in the service of the community during the coronavirus emergency