Mathew D. Esona, M.Sc., Ph.D., FAAS
Research Microbiologist
Dr. Mathew D. Esona serves as a Research Microbiologist at the Naval Health Research Center (NHRC), U.S. Department of the Navy. Currently, at NHRC, Dr. Esona serves as the Acting Department Head for laboratory activities and as an alternate member of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) for the Operational Infectious Diseases (OID) Directorate.
Dr. Esona received his Ph.D. in Medical Virology from Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa. He completed a 2-year post-doctoral training at the MRC/Diarrheal Pathogen Research Unit at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University Pretoria, South Africa, investigating the burden of rotavirus-associated diseases in South Africa and creating awareness of the burden of rotavirus-associated diarrheal infections throughout Africa.
Prior to joining the NHRC, he served for 17+ years as a Research Microbiologist in the Division of Viral Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. Esona has authored and co-authored more than 120 peer-reviewed scientific articles and two book chapters in the field of viral gastroenteritis. He currently serves as a peer reviewer for several medical and public health journals. He has received several CDC recognitions for scientific excellence and most notably, the 2019 CDC Director’s Award for developing a rotavirus-inactivated vaccine. He has served on numerous US CDC committees, working groups, and employee organizations and is currently a member of the Global Rotavirus Classification Working Group, the American Society for Virology, and the African Rotavirus Surveillance Network. As a result of his numerous contributions to science in the African continent, in 2018, Dr. Esona was elected a fellow of the African Academy of Sciences Society (FAAS) and is currently participating in the society’s mentorship program as a mentor. Dr. Esona is most proud of his accomplishments in laboratory strengthening and capacity building throughout the African continent. He is involved in supervising and mentoring the next generation of researchers, including six Ph.D. and ten M.Sc graduates from different universities across the globe.
Dr. Esona’s research interests include all aspects of viral and bacterial diseases, including detection, characterization, genetics, evolution, prevention, control, and management of infections associated with these pathogens.