GF-08

Emmanuel Heilmann

(Cohort 2023)

Research Proposal:

Pan-Coronavirus protease inhibitors and their effect on polyprotein processing.

Research Priority:

Health & Wellness

KAUST Host PI:

Andreas Naschberger

Emmanuel Heilmann studied molecular medicine at the Medical University of Innsbruck, where he also conducted his bachelor, master, and Ph.D. research at the Institute of Virology, focusing on developing technologies based on Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV). Currently, his fellowship research addresses the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), a pathogen with pandemic potential, aiming to elucidate the structure of the MERS-CoV polyprotein, a critical element in viral replication, and to develop a protease drug screening platform to identify antiviral inhibitors. In his free time, Emmanuel advocates to prevent food waste by volunteering in non-profit organizations. He also enjoys martial arts, gardening, and playing the piano.