Vira Bitko

Vira Bitko has over 20 years of experience in the field of biochemistry, with a focus on vaccine research and development. Vira began their career in 2001 as an Assistant Professor of Biochemistry at the University of South Alabama, where they worked with respiratory viruses and select agents in a BSL-2 laboratory. In 2009, they joined Meridian Life Science as Principal Virologist. From 2011 to 2016, they held the roles of Director of Virology and Senior Scientist at NanoBio Corporation, followed by a position as Sr. Director of Vaccine Research at BlueWillow Biologics (formerly NanoBio Corporation). In 2018, they became Director, Vaccine R&D at Emergent BioSolutions in Gaithersburg, MD. In 2020, they took on the roles of Executive Director, Preclinical R&D at AGTC and Vice President, Vaccine R&D at BlueWillow Biologics, Inc. Vira currently holds the position of Vice President, Head of Vaccines at RVAC Medicines. In addition, they serve as an External Scientific Consultant at AstraZeneca.

Vira Bitko has a diverse educational background, having earned a Master of Science in Biochemistry and a Master of Science in Biology from the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, as well as an M.S. in Biochemistry from the same university. Vira also holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the Ukrainian Scientific Research Institute of Gerontology, Highest Certification Commission of Ukraine.