Andres Merits
Andres Merits is a Full Professor at the Institute of Bioengineering, University of Tartu, Estonia. His research focuses on the molecular biology of RNA viruses, particularly alphaviruses, flaviviruses, and coronaviruses. His work addresses viral genome replication, virus - host interactions, and the development of systems for antiviral drug discovery. He has contributed to key advances in the field, including coronavirus reverse genetics tools and structural and functional studies of viral RNA polymerases. Professor Merits has published over 240 peer-reviewed papers, with more than 15,000 citations. He has led and participated in major international collaborations and research projects funded by organizations such as the Estonian Research Council and the Wellcome Trust. He received the Estonian State Award in Molecular Biology and Chemistry in 2015 and was elected an Academy Professor by the Estonian Academy of Sciences in 2019.