I am a dedicated and proactive virologist and microbiologist with over seven years of experience in infectious disease research, and extensive expertise in method development, diagnostic detection techniques, and biosafety. As a public health microbiologist, I also have two years of experience working in reference laboratories, focusing on various human pathogens and their relevance to public health. My responsible and meticulous working style, combined with strong leadership and interpersonal skills, has enabled the successful management of complex projects, the results of which have been published in renowned scientific journals.

Guided by the conviction that “no one is safe until everyone is safe,” I apply my expertise and solution-oriented mindset to support evidence-based decision-making, contributing to the protection and strengthening of public health. Looking ahead, I aim to dedicate my knowledge and practical experience to advancing the prevention, surveillance, and control of infectious diseases, thereby promoting the sustainable improvement of public health in Switzerland.

Female

German

Basel

Switzerland

Experienced (Non-Manager)

Clinical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology, Public Health, Microbiology

Virology

Presentations:

- European Scientific Conference on Applied Infectious Disease Epidemiology (ESCAIDE)
“Nationwide Retrospective Study on the Performance of the WHO Mutation Catalogue for Genomic Prediction of
Antibiotic Resistance in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex in Spain, 2022-2025” | Poster presentation
2025 | Warsaw, Poland

- European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) global
“Unravelling GII.17[P17] Norovirus transmission clusters in two consecutive outbreaks in a Spanish hospital: a
retrospective whole-genome analysis with implications for infection prevention and control” | Poster presentation
2025 | Vienna, Austria

- European Scientific Conference on Applied Infectious Disease Epidemiology (ESCAIDE)
“Increase of Salmonella enterica serovar Chester cases in Spain, 2023” | Poster presentation
2024 | Stockholm, Sweden

- European Scientific Conference on Applied Infectious Disease Epidemiology (ESCAIDE)
“Surge of shigellosis cases in Spain: Retrospective analysis of Shigella cases in 2023” | Accepted poster presentation
2024 | Stockholm, Sweden

- 13th Annual CEIRS Network Meeting
“SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 are transmitted through the air between ferrets over more than one meter distance” | Oral
presentation
2021 | Virtual Meeting

- OPTIONS X for the Control of Influenza
“Phenotypic characterization of the airborne transmissibility of avian and human influenza A H2N2 viruses” | Poster
presentation
2019 | Singapore

- European Congress of Virology
“Optimization of an air sampler to collect infectious virus from air and its application in a hospital setting” | Poster
presentation
2019 | Rotterdam, The Netherlands

- Transmission of Respiratory Viruses: From Basic Science to Evidence Based Options for Control
“Optimization and collection efficiency of different air samplers to collect infectious aerosolized respiratory viruses
from the air” | Oral presentation
2017 | Hong Kong

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Publications:

- Kutter JS, Saiz-Vega P, Ramiro R, Casas J, et al. (2025) Retrospective study on the transmission dynamics and drug
resistance profiles of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in Spain, 2022-2025. In preparation.

- Kutter JS, Cuevas-Lobato Ó, Fernandez Pacheco Gonzalez de Echavarri BE, et al (2025). Unravelling GII.17[P17] norovirus
transmission dynamics using whole-genome sequencing in two consecutive outbreaks at a Spanish hospital:
implications for infection prevention and control. Submitted.

- Hu D, Hagelauer E, Wendt L, Bosso M, Bunz M, Kammerloher, Kutter JS et al. (2025). CD81 is an Ebola virus inhibiting
factor that is antagonized by GP and VP40. Submitted.

- Centro de Coordinación de Alertas y Emergencias Sanitarias, Ministerio de Sanidad, (2024). Evaluación rápida de
riesgo. Aumento de casos de shigelosis en España, 2023-2024.

- Kutter JS, Linster M, de Meulder D, et al. (2023). Continued adaptation of A/H2N2 viruses during pandemic circulation
in humans. J Gen Virol. 104(8), 001881.

- Kutter JS, Experimental Methods to Assess the Airborne Transmission of Respiratory Viruses. Erasmus University
Rotterdam. (2021). Available from: https://bit.ly/3siGGBQ.

- Kutter JS, de Meulder D, Bestebroer TM, et al. (2021). Small quantities of respiratory syncytial virus RNA only in large
droplets around infants hospitalized with acute respiratory infections. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control., 10(1):100.

- Kutter JS, de Meulder D, Bestebroer TM, et al. (2021). Comparison of three air samplers for the collection of four
nebulized respiratory viruses - Collection of respiratory viruses from air. Indoor Air., 10.1111/ina.12875.

- Kutter JS, de Meulder D, Bestebroer TM, et al. (2021). SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 are transmitted through the air
between ferrets over more than one meter distance. Nat Commun., 12(1),1653.

- Kutter JS, Spronken MI, Fraaij PL, Fouchier RA, Herfst S (2018). Transmission routes of respiratory viruses among
humans. Curr Opin Virol., 28,142-151.

- Kint J, Dickhout A, Kutter J, et al. (2015). Infectious bronchitis coronavirus inhibits STAT1 signaling and requires
accessory proteins for resistance to type I interferon activity. J Virol., 89(23),12047-12057.

ECDC & Instituto de Salud Carlos III (National Health Institute; National Insitute of Microbiology)

Madrid

Spain

ECDC Public Health Microbiology Fellow (EUPHEM)

09-10-2023

10-31-2025

ECDC EUPHEM Fellow, Public Health Microbiology
National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III | Madrid, Spain
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control | Stockholm, Sweden
09/2023–10/2025
- Led and conducted a national analysis of the spread of antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis in Spain (2022–2025); applied
and evaluated the WHO reference catalogue for genomic resistance prediction, identifying relevant resistance
mutations at regional and national levels.
- Performed genomic investigation of two consecutive norovirus outbreaks in a hospital, caused by the novel re-
emerging GII.17[P17] lineage using metagenomic NGS (mNGS), and evaluated the performance of various diagnostic
methods for noroviruses.
- Implemented susceptibility testing for dermatophytes according to EUCAST guidelines; developed SOPs and
standardized templates for experimental procedures, data processing, and interpretation to monitor resistance
development locally and nationally.
- Conducted trend and risk analyses for various infections, including shigellosis, salmonellosis, diphtheria, and malaria;
collaborated with the Spanish Health Alerts and Emergencies Coordination Center, the National Center for
Epidemiology, and the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture.
- Participated in an internal audit assessing the reference laboratory’s quality management system for Enterobacteria,
in accordance with the institute’s internal quality manual and the guidelines of the Spanish national accreditation
body (ENAC).
- Participated in an external quality assessment at the reference laboratory for mycobacteria, including diagnostics of
non-tuberculous mycobacteria and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex bacteria, as well as determination of their
antibiotic susceptibility.

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Scientist, Clinical Diagnostics
Hospital San Miguel – Quina Care | Puerto el Carmen de Putumayo, Ecuador
03/2023–08/2023
- Developed, validated, and implemented key laboratory processes and routine diagnostics for malaria, HPV, and
dengue infections, including differentiation of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses.
- Supported and coordinated screening programs for malaria, HPV, and dengue infections, including implementation,
data analysis, and result interpretation.
- Developed and optimized laboratory workflows to ensure the safe handling of infectious specimens.
- Trained and guided staff in laboratory procedures, molecular techniques, and occupational health and biosafety
standards.
- Actively contributed to and managed daily routine diagnostics across all clinical fields.

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Scientist, Vaccine Generation
Bavarian Nordic | Planegg, Germany
04/2022–10/2022
- Managed production and release of research materials for clinically relevant vaccine candidates
- Planned and led weekly team meetings to coordinate activities and progress
- Supervised and guided personnel in daily laboratory tasks with special attention to quality assurance
- Prioritized production steps to meet milestones and timelines
- Mentored technicians and supported professional development
- Prepared, reviewed, and approved technical documents, including SOPs, protocols, and reports

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PhD Candidate, Molecular Virology
Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center | Rotterdam, The Netherlands
04/2016–09/2021
- Developed, optimized, and evaluated experimental methods for the collection and quantification of airborne viruses.
- Coordinated and conducted a study in a pediatric hospital to quantify RSV in the ambient air of RSV-positive infants.
- Designed and performed in vivo studies (ABSL3+) on the transmission of respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2,
SARS-CoV-1, Influenza A/H2N2, and HMPV.
- Collaborated with biosafety officers and ethics committees, and prepared project-related reports (e.g., CEIRS, Dutch
ethics committee).

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Voluntary engagement

Public Health Virologist and Microbiologist
Hospital San Miguel – Quina Care | Puerto el Carmen de Putumayo, Ecuador
03/2023–08/2023

Wereldpraatjes Networking Events
Leiden, The Netherlands
12/2018–12/2019
• Member of the Management and Communications Team
• Organization of Networking events for female professionals that want to continue their career in the Netherlands

PhD Candidate, Molecular Virology
Viroscience, Erasmus MC | Rotterdam, The Netherlands
04/2016–09/2021
Dissertation: “Experimental Methods for Assessing Airborne Transmission of Respiratory Viruses”
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. R. Fouchier, Dr. S. Herfst

MSc, Molecular Biotechnology
Technical University of Munich | Freising, Germany
10/2013–02/2016
Master’s Thesis: “Characterization of the Ebola Virus Glycoprotein and Its Interaction with CD317 and Tetraspanin-Enriched Microdomains”
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. M. Schindler, Dr. J. Nehls | Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Center Munich

BSc, Molecular Life Sciences
Wageningen University | Wageningen, The Netherlands
09/2010–08/2013
Bachelor’s Thesis: “Infectious Bronchitis Virus and Its Sensitivity to Type I Interferons”
Supervisors: Dr. M. Forlenza, Dr. J. Kint | Department of Cell Biology and Immunology, Wageningen University

German

Native

English

Excellent

Dutch

Excellent

Spanish

Good

French

Basic

Professional Competencies:
- Epidemiological and microbiological analyses (working with large datasets)
- Risk assessments & Infection prevention and control
- Surveillance of communicable diseases
- Outbreak investigation and management
- Experience working in national reference laboratories and clinical settings
- Data analysis, processing, visualization, and reporting
- Preparation, updating, and approval of official documents
- Quality management
- Collaboration with regional and national public health institutions
- Presentation and communication of results in meetings and international scientific conferences
- Supervision and mentoring of students and staff

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ECDC Training:
- Courses on prevention, surveillance, outbreak investigations, crisis management, risk communication, and
development of public health recommendations
- Multivariate analyses and time series analysis
- Vaccinology, including understanding vaccine acceptance and strategies to increase vaccination coverage
- Rapid risk assessment and data collection methods
- Public Health Microbiology I–III
- Social and behavioral sciences
- One Health approaches
- Public health preparedness for mass gatherings
- Quality management and bio risk analyses

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Laboratory skills:
- Sequencing & Genomic Analysis: Sanger sequencing, whole genome sequencing (WGS), metagenomic NGS (mNGS)
- Laboratory & Biosafety Standards: Handling, processing, and disposal of patient samples; work in BSL-1 to BSL-3+
laboratories; experience with Risk Group 2 and 3+ pathogens and genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
- Virological, Serological, and Cell-Based Assays: Cell culture, virus propagation, virus titration, neutralization assays,
ELISA
- Molecular Biology Techniques: RT-PCR, qPCR, Luminex/LiquidArray assays

Software Tools: Microsoft 365, Adobe Creative Cloud, Google Workspace
Data Analysis & Bioinformatics: R Studio, NGS analysis, BioEdit, BLAST, NCBI tools, MEGA, iTOL

Personal competencies:
- Organizational skills
- Project- and time management
- Communication skills
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Proactive, high internal motivation
- Solution-oriented
- Critical thinking
- Creativity and curiosity
- Adaptability
- Analytical thinking and detail oriented

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Hobbies:
- Fitness & Running
- Bouldering & Climbing
- Graphic design & photograph
- Languages

Research position, Clinical position, Laboratory position, ESCMID observership

Clinical Microbiology, InfectiousDiseases, Epidemiology, Public Health, Microbiology

Virology

Infectious disease epidemiology; Virology & Microbiology; Public Health

Permanent, Temporary/contract/project

Full-time, Part-time

>7

Switzerland; preferably Basel area;

04-01-2026

I am seeking a role where I can leverage my expertise in molecular virology, clinical diagnostics, and public health microbiology to advance the detection, surveillance, and control of infectious diseases. I am motivated to contribute to strengthening public health systems, supporting outbreak preparedness, and informing policy through data-driven analyses. Suitable positions include roles at regional or national health institutes (either epidemiology or laboratpry focused; including academic settings with a public health focus), clinical laboratories, or clinical departments in infectious diseases and infection prevention.