Maria Denise Chen German

I am a molecular virology researcher at the Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Studies (ICGES) in Panama, with a Master's degree and specialization in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Panama. My research focuses on the molecular epidemiology, genomic surveillance, and diagnosis of emerging and re-emerging arboviruses, including dengue, Oropouche, Madariaga, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. I have led and contributed in research projects for the implementation and validation of molecular diagnostic tools that support public health surveillance and outbreak response in Panama.

I have collaborated with multidisciplinary teams and international organizations, including the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the University of Cambridge, the UK Health Security Agency, and the University of Texas Medical Branch. I am the author and co-author of peer-reviewed publications in leading journals and through my work, I aim to strengthen molecular and genomic surveillance capacity and translate research into practical tools that improve preparedness and response to emerging infectious diseases in Panama and the broader region.