Ausama Yousif

Professor Attia graduated at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University. He was among the top 1% of his class. After isolating a camel pestivirus for the first time in the world, he was given the opportunity to study for a PhD in the US. He was awarded his PhD in 2002 at South Dakota State University. In the US, he did his research in the Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory. Upon his return to Cairo University, he worked in the Department of Virology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and held the position of department head for three years. He also served on the Faculty Board and the Graduate Studies Board for several years. As a career educator, he helped with formulating the Egyptian National Academic Reference Standards for the Veterinary Education. He also helped in the design and execution of several undergraduate and graduate level programs and courses. He published several papers on developing diagnostic reagents and vaccines for the control of emerging transboundary pathogens like lumpy skin disease and camelpox viruses. Professor Attia also worked with the industry on several aspects of research and development, production and, quality control of vaccines against several pathogens of veterinary and public health importance, including the design of an avian influenza production facility, and served on the board of one company. He helped establish the Central Biotechnology Laboratory of King Faisal University, and worked as an associate professor in Al-Baha University. Professor Attia is recognized as an expert on Rift Valley fever virus by the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development. He is also recognized as an expert in veterinary vaccines by the Egyptian General Organization of Veterinary Services. He is currently a professor of virology, and the dean’s assistant for international cooperation in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University. His work involving international cooperation allowed for the creation of the China – Egypt Joint Laboratory for Control and Prevention of Animal Diseases and, allowed for agreements that facilitated generation of money and support for international master’s programs development. His current research focus is on improving vaccines and vaccine-based control programs for Newcastle disease, Rift Valley fever, foot and mouth disease, and avian influenza viruses; including green vaccines produced in microalgae. In addition, his research group has recently unveiled the presence of Equine hepaciviruses in Egypt, a transboundary genotype of fish iridoviruses, and the viral cause of massive tilapia mortalities in Egyptian aquacultures. His work also uncovered the underlying cause behind the failure to control the 2018 outbreak of lumpy skin disease. Moreover, Prof. Attia has been entrusted with development of the conceptual and operational designs of the National Company for Animal Production’s first and second biosafety level (BSL) 2 and 3 veterinary research and diagnostic facilities. He continues to work as a scientific advisor for this organization of the Egyptian Military. The ideas and technologies developed by professor Attia in the field of vaccinology has attracted the attention of the private sector and allowed him to co-found the research and development company Bioshield International Research and Development, Ltd, after getting special permits from the Ministry of Higher Education and other relevant authorities.