Best Researcher Award

Liliana Elena Weimer is a medical doctor and clinical researcher with over 30 years of experience in infectious diseases, clinical trials, and global health. Since 2022 she serves as First Researcher (Level II) at the Center for Global Health – Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Rome, Italy. Her career spans landmark HIV/HCV studies, COVID‑19 surveillance, Long‑COVID coordination, and international collaborations with WHO, the G20, and the American Clinical Trials Group.[1][2]

She has participated in national and multinational cohort studies, public health surveillance programs, and clinical research initiatives focused on infectious diseases and global health. As of September 2026, she has authored or co-authored more than 177 scientific publications and has contributed to research programs involving the American Clinical Trials Group, European collaborative projects, WHO-related activities, and Italian national surveillance systems. Her scholarly profile reflects sustained engagement in evidence-based medicine, public health research, and clinical investigation across several decades.[1][2]

Abstract

This article presents the academic and research profile of Dr. Liliana Elena Weimer, nominated for the Best Researcher Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to clinical virology, public health surveillance, and international collaborative research. With a career spanning more than three decades at the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), Dr. Weimer has coordinated national and multinational trials on HIV and HCV, contributed to the PITER cohort (25,000 patients), and led COVID‑19 and Long‑COVID surveillance protocols. Her work is characterised by high‑impact publications, a consistent h‑index of 22, and active engagement in European projects (ORCHESTRA, PREVENT Horizon, SHIELD). The nomination is supported by her record of public competition successes, teaching, and service with Doctors Without Borders.[1]

Keywords

Best Researcher Award, HIV/HCV clinical trials, PITER cohort, COVID‑19 surveillance, Long‑COVID, Malattie Infettive Long Covid, Doctor in Medicine, Infectious Diseases.

Introduction

The Best Researcher Award recognises individuals who demonstrate exceptional scientific output, leadership, and translational impact. Liliana Elena Weimer, MD, has built a distinguished career at the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), where she has been instrumental in shaping infectious disease research in Italy and beyond. Her work encompasses antiretroviral therapy optimisation, hepatitis C elimination strategies, and the establishment of national surveillance systems for HIV, HCV, and SARS‑CoV‑2. Notably, she is a member of the ISS COVID‑19 National Surveillance Group and the PITER study coordination team, and she contributes to WHO guidelines on Long‑Covid. Her international collaborations and sustained publication record make her a strong candidate for this award.[3]

Research Profile

Dr. Liliana Elena Weimer holds a medical degree from the University of Buenos Aires and a second MD from the University of L’Aquila, with specialisations in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Pharmacology. She has been a researcher at ISS since 1990, winning public competitions for fixed‑term, permanent, and First Researcher positions. Her research profile is characterised by a strong commitment to clinical epidemiology and trial methodology. She has contributed to landmark studies such as ACTG 384/388 (Italy‑USA AIDS trials), the PITER HCV cohort, and the European ORCHESTRA project. She also coordinates the national Long‑COVID surveillance protocol (2021‑2026) funded by the Italian Ministry of Health. With over 128 documents, 2,534 citations, and an h‑index of 22 (Scopus), she maintains a visible presence in the field.[2][4]

• Senior Clinical Researcher at the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), Rome.
• More than three decades of experience in multicenter clinical trials and epidemiological research.
• Collaborator with international HIV and HCV research networks.
• Contributor to national SARS-CoV-2 and Long COVID surveillance programs.
• Participant in European collaborative projects including ORCHESTRA, PREVENT Horizon, SHIELD, EURO-PERISTAT, and JA-05.
• Member of professional organizations focused on infectious diseases and public health.

Research Contributions

Dr. Liliana Elena Weimer’s contributions are organised around three pillars: clinical trials and cohort studies, public health surveillance, and global health collaborations. She has coordinated over twenty national and international multicentre trials, including the Italian Protease Inhibitors Registry and the NIA surveillance network. As part of the PITER study, she contributed to the largest Italian HCV cohort (25,000 patients), informing treatment strategies for cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. During the COVID‑19 pandemic, she joined the ISS national surveillance group and collaborated with Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital, providing clinical and epidemiological support. She also serves as an external consultant for WHO’s Long‑Covid guidelines and is a member of the Brussels Network of Expertise on Long‑Covid.[5]

Liliana Elena Weimer’s research portfolio encompasses HIV treatment optimization, hepatitis C management, SARS-CoV-2 surveillance, and Long COVID characterization. Her participation in national cohort studies and international clinical trials has contributed to understanding treatment effectiveness, patient outcomes, and disease epidemiology.[1][3]

• Clinical trials and cohort studies involving HIV therapies.
• Research on HCV treatment outcomes and long-term virological response.
• Investigation of monoclonal antibody strategies against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.
• Long COVID symptom characterization and longitudinal follow-up studies.
• Public health surveillance and antimicrobial resistance research.
• Support for healthcare access initiatives in resource-limited settings.

Publications

Dr. Liliana Elena Weimer has authored or co‑authored more than 120 peer‑reviewed articles, book chapters, and monographs. Her work appears in high‑impact journals including Hepatology, Children, and Journal of Pediatrics Research Reviews. She received the Best Research Award from the journal Children (IF 2.5) for a study on the clinical characterisation of adolescents with Long‑COVID. She has also published two books on post‑COVID sequelae and SARS‑CoV‑2 variants. Below is a selection of her most cited works:

• Morgan TR, Ghany MG, Kim HY, Snow KK, Shiffman ML, De Santo JL, … Weimer LE (2010). Outcome of sustained virological responders with histologically advanced chronic hepatitis C. Hepatology, 52(3):833‑844.
• George SL, Bacon BR, Brunt EM, Mihindukulasuriya KL, Hoffmann J, … Weimer LE (2009). Clinical, virologic, histologic, and biochemical outcomes after successful HCV therapy: a 5‑year follow‑up of 150 patients. Hepatology, 49(3):729‑738.
• Saxena V, Nyberg L, Pauly M, Dasgupta A, Nyberg A, Piasecki B, … Weimer LE (2015). Safety and efficacy of simeprevir/sofosbuvir in hepatitis C–infected patients with compensated and decompensated cirrhosis. Hepatology, 62(3):715‑725.

Research Impact

With over 2,534 citations and an h‑index of 22, Dr. Liliana Elena Weimer’s work has shaped clinical practice in hepatitis C and HIV care. Her studies on sustained virologic response and long‑term outcomes after HCV therapy are frequently cited in guidelines. She has received multiple recognitions, including an Abstract of Distinction at the AASLD Liver Meeting (2018) and the 2025 Best Research Award from Children journal. She was a Special Invitee to the G20 Health Summit 2023 and serves as a lay judge at the Court of Assizes in Rome. Her impact extends beyond academia: she is a volunteer with Doctors Without Borders (since 1992), providing AIDS therapies in Brazil, and actively participates in public health emergency responses.[1][3]

Award Suitability

The Best Researcher Award recognises sustained excellence, and Dr. Liliana Elena Weimer’s trajectory exemplifies this. She has won three public competitions at the ISS (fixed‑term, permanent, and First Researcher), demonstrating peer‑reviewed career progression. She coordinates the national PITER HCV cohort and the Long‑COVID surveillance protocol, and she has contributed to WHO guidelines. Her publication record includes landmark articles in hepatology, and she has received journal‑level awards for her work on Long‑COVID. Her international collaborations with the American Clinical Trials Group, INSERM, and the European Commission place her among the leading clinical researchers in Italy. This award would further acknowledge her role in translating research into public health action.[4]

Conclusion

Dr. Liliana Elena Weimer is a medical researcher of high calibre, with a career that bridges clinical trials, epidemiological surveillance, and global health equity. Her work on HIV, HCV, and COVID‑19 has informed national and international guidelines, and her commitment to service—through Doctors Without Borders and public health emergencies—distinguishes her as a compassionate and effective leader. The data presented—128 documents, 2,534 citations, h‑index 22, and consistent recognition—support her nomination for the Best Researcher Award. Her profile aligns with the core values of the award: scientific rigor, translational impact, and dedication to improving human health.[5]

External Links

• Scopus Author Profile
• ORCID Profile 
• Google Scholar Profile
• Award Website

References

1. Scopus. (n.d.). Author details: Weimer, Liliana Elena, Author ID 6701388312. Scopus Preview.https://www.scopus.com/pages/authors/6701388312
2. Google Scholar. (n.d.). Liliana Elena Weimer – citations & h‑index. Google Scholar.https://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?user=2q3g0CAAAAAJ
3. Morgan, T. R., Ghany, M. G., Kim, H. Y., Snow, K. K., Shiffman, M. L., De Santo, J. L., … & Weimer, L. E. (2010). Outcome of sustained virological responders with histologically advanced chronic hepatitis C. Hepatology, 52(3), 833‑844. https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.23744
4. George, S. L., Bacon, B. R., Brunt, E. M., Mihindukulasuriya, K. L., Hoffmann, J., … & Weimer, L. E. (2009). Clinical, virologic, histologic, and biochemical outcomes after successful HCV therapy: a 5‑year follow‑up of 150 patients. Hepatology, 49(3), 729‑738. https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.22694
5. Saxena, V., Nyberg, L., Pauly, M., Dasgupta, A., Nyberg, A., Piasecki, B., … & Weimer, L. E. (2015). Safety and efficacy of simeprevir/sofosbuvir in hepatitis C–infected patients with compensated and decompensated cirrhosis. Hepatology, 62(3), 715‑725. https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.27922