Excellence is Coming to ESPID 2026!
Leading experts and internationally renowned speakers will be joining ESPID 2026 to share the latest advances, insights, and breakthroughs in paediatric infectious diseases. Discover what they have to say about their upcoming lectures and what awaits attendees at this year’s Meeting.
Are you ready to be part of the conversation?
Andreea M. Panciu (Romania)
HEPATITIS A&B IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Andreea Panciu is an Infectious Diseases Specialist with a primary focus on pediatric infectious diseases. Passionate about vector-borne infections and emerging pathogens, with a particular research interest in Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus (TBEV) and Lyme disease, currently pursuing a PhD focused on the epidemiology and clinical aspects of TBEV in Romania. Dedicated to advancing infectious disease research, improving pediatric patient care, and contributing to public health awareness and prevention strategies.
Kevin Meesters (Canada)
PRECISION MEDICINE: THE ROLE OF TDM AND PHARMACOGENOMICS
Kevin Meesters is a pediatric infectious diseases physician and Clinical Assistant Professor at BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. He completed his medical training in Europe, obtaining his MD from Erasmus University Rotterdam, followed by pediatric specialty training and a PhD in Belgium. After residency, he worked in Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, where his passion for pediatric infectious diseases further developed, before moving to Vancouver for fellowship training. His research focuses on the epidemiology of vaccine-preventable diseases, antimicrobial stewardship, and antimicrobial pharmacology in children. A passionate educator, he also contributes to undergraduate medical education at the newly established Simon Fraser University School of Medicine, where he serves as Year 1 Course Lead.
Pablo Rojo (Spain)
PEDIATRIC HIV IN 2026: WHAT’S NEW?
Pablo Rojo is a Paediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist of Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain. He is also Professor in Pediatrics at Complutense University, Madrid, Spain. He obtained his MD and PhD from Complutense University. He is the co-chair of the Penta Scientific Steering Committee. He is author and co-author of over 140 peer reviewed scientific articles and book chapters. His main research activities are related to global pediatric HIV: mainly on antiretrovirals, pediatric advanced HIV disease and pediatric HIV cure. He is the chief investigator of several complex randomized clinical trials like EMPIRICAL and ODYSSEY. Also very interested in COVID19: both about the acute infection, the associated MISC and vaccines in children. Related to pediatric HIV, he is technical advisor for Paediatric HIV for Spanish Government, he participates in a collaborating project on Paediatric HIV in Equatorial Guinea and has also advised WHO in Paediatric HIV treatment in the PAWG and PADO. Related to COVID19, he participated in the WHO working group on the definition of the multisystemic inflammatory syndrome in children (MISC). He has also participated in several clinical trials on treatment and vaccines related to pediatric infectious diseases.
Santhanam Naguthevar (India)
PEDIATRIC HIV IN 2026: WHAT’S NEW?
Dr. Santhanam Naguthevar is an Infectious Disease specialist currently working at Velammal Medical College Hospital and Research Institute. He completed his DM in Infectious Diseases from All India Institute of Medical Sciences Jodhpur and has expertise in both adult and pediatric infectious diseases. His clinical and academic interests include pediatric infectious diseases, HIV medicine, tuberculosis, tropical infections, antimicrobial stewardship, emerging infections, vaccination, and infections in immunocompromised hosts. Dr. Santhanam has been actively involved in academic conferences and infectious disease education programs across India. He serves on the organizing committee for ESPID 2025 and has received a grant from the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases for conference participation and presentation. He has presented on topics related to antimicrobial prescribing practices, tropical infections, and diagnostic challenges in infectious diseases. His ongoing work focuses on improving infectious disease care, infection prevention practices, and academic collaboration in pediatric and adult infectious diseases.
Carla Pamies Martínez (Spain)
ANTIMICROBIAL PROPHYLAXIS IN THE IMMUNODEFICIENT CHILD
Carla Pamies Martínez was born in the Canary Islands and completed her pre-university education at Colegio Hispano Inglés in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where she obtained the Spanish Secondary Education and Bachillerato diplomas, along with the international IGCSE certification. She later pursued a degree in Medicine at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (2016–2022). During this time, she completed her undergraduate thesis on the relationship between carotid atheromatosis and bone mineral density in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. After graduating, Carla prepared for the MIR examination, achieving a ranking that allowed her to enter the Pediatrics residency program at La Paz University Hospital in Madrid, where she began my training in 2023. She is currently completing her residency in Pediatrics, with a particular interest in Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine.
