Project leader at Technical University of Munich, Germany
Prof. Dr. Awad A. Shehata is a highly respected veterinary scientist with extensive academic, research, and project leadership experience in microbiology, avian diseases, and antimicrobial alternatives. Currently a project leader at the Technical University of Munich and a private docent at Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences, Germany, he combines scientific rigor with innovation in One Health and veterinary biotechnology. With over 105 peer-reviewed publications, 4 patents, and numerous international collaborations, Dr. Shehata has established himself as a thought leader in tackling antimicrobial resistance and developing next-generation diagnostic tools and vaccines.
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Education
Dr. Shehata’s educational journey began with a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine from Alexandria University, Egypt (1998), followed by a Master’s degree in Avian and Rabbit Diseases from Sadat City University (2005). He obtained his Ph.D. in Veterinary Medicine from Leipzig University, Germany (2011), focusing on truncated influenza sequences for vaccination. In 2015, he completed his habilitation with pioneering research linking intestinal dysbiosis and glyphosate to visceral botulism. He later earned advanced certifications, including Dipl. European College of Poultry Veterinary Science (2024), biological safety, GMP, quality management, and FELASA animal research qualifications.
Experience
Spanning over two decades, Dr. Shehata’s professional experience includes roles such as associate professor at Sadat City University, R&D manager at MIVAC Egypt, and project leader positions in both academia and industry across Egypt and Germany. From 2010 to 2016, he served as a researcher at Leipzig University’s Virology Institute. Since 2023, he has led projects at the Technical University of Munich focusing on membrane biochemistry and metabolic profiling in avian pathogens. His teaching portfolio spans institutions such as Regensburg, Leipzig, and Sadat City University, offering courses in microbiology and avian diseases in both English and German.
Research Interest
Dr. Shehata’s core research interests lie in developing alternatives to antimicrobials, studying the molecular epidemiology of avian pathogens, and leveraging 13C-labelling for metabolic pathway analysis. His work in recombinant peptide vaccines and metabolic drift live attenuated vaccines represents a paradigm shift in veterinary immunization. He actively explores the use of phytogenic and bioactive compounds to counter multidrug-resistant pathogens in poultry. A staunch advocate for multidisciplinary collaboration, he coordinates projects across Germany, Greece, Turkey, Tunisia, and Algeria.
Award
Dr. Shehata has received prestigious recognition, including a scholarship from the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education and a travel grant for the 4th European Congress of Virology in Italy. His leadership in the PRIMA Project (1.8 million EUR funding) and the “Alternatives to Antimicrobials” project (450,000 EUR funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research) reflect his impactful contributions. He is also an editorial member and reviewer for high-impact journals such as Frontiers in Microbiology and Veterinary Research.
Publication
Dr. Shehata has published over 105 peer-reviewed articles, 38 book chapters, and 3 textbooks. Here are 7 selected publications:
Shehata AA, et al. (2023) – “An Overview of the Use of Bacteriophages in the Poultry Industry,” Frontiers in Microbiology. Cited by 30 articles.
Shehata AA, et al. (2022) – “Diversity of Coronaviruses with Attention to SARS-CoV-2,” Animals. Cited by 20 articles.
Shehata AA, et al. (2020) – “Salmonella Enteritidis Vaccine Candidate,” Heliyon. Cited by 18 articles.
Shehata AA, et al. (2020) – “COVID-19 Pandemic Review,” J Clin Med. Cited by 55 articles.
Shehata AA, et al. (2022) – “Probiotics for Gut Health in Poultry,” Microorganisms. Cited by 27 articles.
Shehata AA, et al. (2021) – “Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 Furin Cleavage Sites,” Archives of Virology. Cited by 19 articles.
Shehata AA, et al. (2015) – “Development of Broadly Reactive H5N1 Vaccine,” Vaccine. Cited by 40 articles.
Conclusion
Prof. Dr. Awad A. Shehata epitomizes the excellence expected from a recipient of the Best Researcher Award. His career is marked by scientific rigor, translational impact, global collaboration, and unwavering commitment to solving pressing issues in infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance. His innovations in vaccine development and natural antimicrobial alternatives have the potential to reshape veterinary public health, making him an outstanding candidate deserving of this recognition