Dr Javier Martin

Dr Javier Martin completed his PhD studies at the Universidad Autonoma, Madrid, Spain, in 1992, successfully developing a novel technique to generate genetically modified influenza viruses. 

He then spent 5 years as a post-doctoral scientist at the National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London, where he used this technique to study the effect of site-directed mutations on the properties of mutant influenza viruses.

Javier moved to NIBSC in 1998 where he is currently a Principal Scientist responsible for regulatory and research aspects related to poliovirus, with a special interest on the surveillance for poliomyelitis and the quality control and standardization of poliovaccines.

He is currently the director of the WHO Global Specialised Polio Laboratory at NIBSC, overseeing the surveillance for poliovirus in the UK, Ireland and Cyprus and supporting all 140 WHO polio network laboratories globally.