University of Manitoba
Dr. Hezhao Ji, is a senior research scientist at the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) at the JC Wilt Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Public Health Agency of Canada. Dr. Ji is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at the University of Manitoba since 2013. Dr. Ji obtained his medical degree in 1993, MSc. in medical immunology in 1996 and Ph.D in medical microbiology and infectious diseases in 2007. With over 29 years’ extensive research experience in the relevant fields, Dr. Ji is an established researcher in genomics and genetics research on human viral diseases, particularly HIV/AIDS. Dr. Ji has been leading the NML effort in developing and implementing next generation sequencing (NGS)-based HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) genotyping technologies since 2008. Working with his WHO and PAHO counterparts, Dr. Ji has devoted tremendous efforts in promoting the implementation of NGS HIVDR testing in front-line reference labs in recent years. Besides HIVDR and HIV viral genetics, Dr. Ji’s research projects also involve metagenomics, molecular epidemiology of infectious diseases and public health.