The ICGEB community is celebrating a series of international recognitions awarded to members of the ICGEB Council of Scientific Advisers (CSA), whose scientific leadership continues to shape global research, innovation and collaboration.
As honorary alumni of the Institute, CSA members represent some of the most influential voices in international science.
Professor Jan Leach was recently awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Montpellier, France, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to plant pathology and scientific cooperation worldwide. A globally recognised expert in plant–pathogen interactions, Prof. Leach has dedicated her research to understanding how microorganisms cause plant diseases and how environmental factors – including climate change – influence their evolution. Her pioneering work on rice diseases has had a major international impact, particularly in regions where rice is a staple crop central to food security.
Currently University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Agricultural Biology at Colorado State University, USA, Prof. Leach is a member of the US National Academy of Sciences, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the American Academy of Microbiology, and the American Phytopathological Society.
Dr Leach has also played a leading role in shaping the emerging field of phytobiomes, which examines the complex interactions among plants, microbes and their environments. Her work has helped foster global collaboration around food security and sustainable agriculture.
Throughout her career, Dr Leach has emphasised mentorship, collaboration and the open exchange of ideas. She has worked with scientists from more than 40 countries, hosted numerous international students, and co-authored dozens of publications with researchers worldwide. Former students who spoke at the ceremony inducting her as a Doctor Honoris Causa highlighted her lasting impact as both a scientist and mentor.
In India, Dr Shekhar C. Mande has assumed office as President of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA), one of the country’s highest scientific institutions.
Former Director General of CSIR and Secretary of DSIR, Government of India, Dr Mande is Distinguished University Professor and Honorary Distinguished Scientist at the Indian National Centre for Cell Science. Widely respected for his leadership within the Indian scientific community, he has played a central role in advancing scientific research, institutional development and scientific talent in India.
His appointment to lead INSA reflects a career dedicated to strengthening science for societal benefit and promoting scientific excellence internationally. Through his role within the ICGEB CSA, Dr Mande continues to contribute to the development of young researchers and to enhancing India’s global scientific profile.
Meanwhile, Dr Alexis M. Kalergis, Member of the ICGEB CSA since 2019, has received the 2026 Distinguished PhD Alum Award from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, USA
Director of the Millennium Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy in Chile and Full Professor at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Dr Kalergis is internationally recognised for his groundbreaking contributions to immunology, vaccine research and respiratory viruses. His work has significantly advanced global health and strengthened scientific collaboration between Latin America and the international research community.
Dr Kalergis earned his PhD from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 2000 and completed postdoctoral training at both Albert Einstein and Rockefeller University. Today, he maintains active international collaborations as Visiting Professor at the Albert Einstein College, the University of Nantes in France, and the University of Iowa in the USA.
Over the course of his career, he has delivered more than 400 scientific lectures worldwide, published over 330 scientific papers and mentored a generation of young scientists now working in academia and research institutions around the world. His many distinctions include the Avonni National Innovation Award, the World Intellectual Property Organisation Gold Medal, and the Abdón Cifuentes Award, recognising scientific impact on public policy.
Dr Kalergis also led one of Chile’s most important COVID-19 vaccine initiatives, contributing to the country’s early and large-scale vaccination campaign during the pandemic.
These recognitions highlight the extraordinary global impact of the ICGEB Council of Scientific Advisers and reflect the strength of the Organisation’s international scientific network and alumni community.
The ICGEB Council of Scientific Advisers is elected by the Board of Governors, with the Director-General serving as Secretary. The Council advises the Institute on scientific strategy, research programmes and technical activities, while also reviewing the scientific work carried out across ICGEB’s Components.
