Research expertise

Carine Dochez, MSc, PhD, is a biological scientist with a strong background in vaccinology and over 25 years of international experience. She has a Master Degree in Biology from the University of Antwerp, Belgium; a Master Degree in Environmental Management from Heriot-Watt University, Scotland; and a PhD in Biology from KU Leuven, Belgium.

She began her career at the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM), working at the Laboratory of Protozoology from 1992 to 1994. In 1995 she moved to the Deparment of Microbiology at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Antwerp, Belgium.

In 1996, she was recruited by the Flemish Association for Development Cooperation and Technical Assistance (VVOB), and subsequently stationed in Nigeria (1996-1997) and Uganda (1999-2005). Upon her return to Belgium, she joined the University of Antwerp, where she became responsible for the Network for Education and Support in Immunisation (NESI) until August 2022. In collaboration with partners (including WHO, UNICEF, Gavi the Vaccine Alliance, Universities and Ministries of Health in the countries involved), NESI focused on capacity building, education and technical support to strengthen national immunisation programmes, particularly in the African and Eastern Mediterranean Regions. This included collaboration with the National Immunisation Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs). She facilitated and lectured in several international vaccinology courses, and conducted research on vaccine confidence.

She worked for one year and a half at the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products in Belgium as the coordinator of the spearhead domain vaccines, before joining the Institute of Tropical Medicine in October 2024. Since 2023, she also participates in the Belgian NITAG.

Building on her experience with vaccines, she will support the Unit on various projects and activities, including pharmacovigilance projects.