Draft:Robert Colebunders

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From English Wikipedia @ Freddythechick
  • Comment: Almost all references are written by the subject of the article so cannot be considered independent. I suspect he could pass WP:NPROF, e.g. WP:NPROF#C1. In quite a few places the article states that his work had a significant impact, but the only reference for these statements is his work itself. If there were independent sources referring to the impact of his work, either in practice or in academia, then I would be more convinced. I can see that there has been a lot done to make the article less promotional than the previous version. Mgp28 (talk) 15:48, 30 June 2024 (UTC)
  • Comment: Still the same issues as my last decline. A lot of 'Career' is unsourced, all of 'Personal life' is unsourced - RichT|C|E-Mail 14:36, 24 January 2024 (UTC)
  • Comment: A lot of 'Career' is unsourced, all of 'Personal life' is unsourced - RichT|C|E-Mail 16:47, 10 October 2023 (UTC)


Robert Colebunders
Born (1950-04-19) 19 April 1950 (age 75)
NationalityBelgian
Alma materUniversity of Antwerp
Free University of Brussels
Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp
Scientific career
FieldsInfectious Diseases
InstitutionsGlobal Health Institute
University of Antwerp
Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp
Websiteuantwerpen.be/en/staff/robert-colebunders/my-website/

Robert Colebunders (born 19 April 1950) is a Belgian clinician and researcher specialising in infectious diseases and epidemiology, particularly in the study of emerging pathogens and tropical diseases[1][2]. He has made significant contributions to understanding and managing diseases such as Ebola, AIDS, tuberculosis and onchocerciasis. Colebunders investigated major outbreaks, including the Ebola and Ebola and Marburg virus epidemics, and has contributed to research on COVID-19 and monkeypox. His current work focuses on onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE), a condition prevalent in regions where river blindness (onchocerciasis) is endemic. He is Professor Emeritus at the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp (ITM), Belgium, and continues to lead international research efforts on infectious diseases at the Global Health Institute.

Early Life and Education

After completing his early education in Flanders, Belgium, Colebunders pursued a medical degree at the Free University of Brussels, graduating in 1973. He subsequently completed a residency in internal medicine at St. Pierre University Hospital in Brussels, specialising in tropical diseases[3]. His passion for addressing infectious diseases, particularly in resource-limited settings, led him to pursue further specialisation, earning a PhD from the University of Antwerp[4].

Career

After completing his medical studies, Colebunders spent his early career as a general practitioner in Bougaa, Algeria, from 1974 to 1975, where he gained experience treating patients in rural, resource-constrained environments[4]. During the 1980s, Colebunders', alongside Peter Piot, contributed significantly to the understanding of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Their work helped define the clinical manifestations of HIV infection[5][6][7] and led to the development of affordable diagnostic tests, which were crucial for diagnosing HIV in resource-limited settings[8]. Between 1985 and 1988, Colebunders coordinated clinical studies on HIV/AIDS as part of "Projet SIDA" in Kinshasa, in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo[9]. He was one of the first physicians to study and describe the clinical manifestations of HIV in Africa, producing foundational research that shaped understanding of the disease on the continent[10]. Together with Dr Jonathan Mann (lead epidemiologist), Henry "Skip" Francis (responsible for the laboratory) and two Zairian physicians, Dr Eugene Nzila Nzilambi and Dr Bosenga Ngali, the group produced more than a hundred publications addressing fundamental questions about AIDS in Africa[9][11].

Colebunders furthered his research in this area as a visiting scientist at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) International Activities HIV/AIDS programme in Atlanta, USA, in 1988[4][12]. In the mid-1990s, he participated in international teams that investigated and controlled two major hemorrhagic fever outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He contributed to managing the 1995 Kikwit Ebola outbreak[13] and the 1999 Marburg virus outbreak[14] in Durba. His clinical documentation during these outbreaks provided key insights into the symptoms and treatment protocols for hemorrhagic fevers in low-resource settings.

From 1989 to 2004, Robert led the coordination of HIV/AIDS patient care and clinical research at the ITM in Belgium[15]. According to his colleague Dr. Lazare Manirankunda, In the 1990s, Dr Robert Colebunders noticed that Africans living with HIV knew little about their disease. The epidemic was very real at this time, but African communities were not yet aware of it[15]. In 1995, Colebunders was appointed Professor in Tropical Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) at ITM, Antwerp. He expanded his academic roles in 1996, becoming Professor in Infectious Diseases at the University of Antwerp (UA)[2].

In 2004, he took a sabbatical to serve as a Senior Clinical Investigator at the Infectious Diseases Institute in Kampala, Uganda, assisting with the rollout of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV patients[3]. . Upon returning to ITM in 2005, he led the clinical HIV/STD Unit in the Department of Clinical Sciences until 2014. His efforts contributed to improving access to life-saving treatment in Uganda and surrounding regions. In 2008, he received an European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) network grant in 2008 to produce a workshop on Tuberculosis Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (TB IRIS), linking this syndrome to his ongoing research on HIV[16].

In addition to his HIV/AIDS work, Colebunders coordinated a significant institutional collaboration between Flemish universities and the University of Limpopo in South Africa. This partnership, part of the VLIR-IUC (Flemish Inter-universities Council -Institutional University Cooperation) programme, aimed to strengthen research capacity and address healthcare challenges, including infectious diseases like HIV, in rural African communities[17]. His dedication to this field has been further evidenced by grants awarded, including a HORIZON grant (2015-2020)[18] and an FWO senior research project (2022)[19], supporting his research on onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy and other infectious diseases. He is also a strong advocate for open access and networking in science, highlighting the challenges faced by scientists in resource-limited settings [20].

In 2014, Colebunders received an advanced European Research Council (ERC) grant to investigate the cause of nodding syndrome and other forms of epilepsy in onchocerciasis-endemic regions. Through his research, he discovered that nodding syndrome is one of the phenotypic presentations of onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE)[21][22][23]. Colebunders stated in 2020, "With the necessary efforts, the immense suffering of children with epilepsy and their families in many regions of Africa can be alleviated and hopefully even avoided altogether"[24]. His findings demonstrated that this form of epilepsy could be prevented by eliminating onchocerciasis, underscoring the importance of continued efforts in river blindness eradication programs.

More recently, Colebunders has been involved in global efforts to combat emerging infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and monkeypox. His studies on the epidemiology of COVID-19 in low- and middle-income countries[25] have contributed to global response efforts, particularly in understanding post-COVID conditions[26][27]. He also participated in research during the 2022-2023 monkeypox outbreak, focusing on surveillance and response in affected regions[28][29].

Throughout his career, Colebunders has maintained an active role in the academic community, teaching, supervising students, and presenting at international conferences. In September 2023, he co-organised the "2nd International Workshop on Onchocerciasis-Associated Epilepsy", promoting collaboration among experts from around the globe, including representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)[30]. In 2024, he gave a lecture at the Royal Academy for Overseas Sciences in Belgium on the relationship between onchocerciasis and epilepsy[31]. He currently serves as a council member for the European Region of the IInternational Society for Infectious Diseases (ISID), advocating for improved infectious disease research and management, particularly in resource-limited settings[2].

References

  1. ^ Coalition for Equitable Research in Low-Resource Settings. "Robert Colebunders". CERCLE - Coalition for Equitable Research in Low-Resource Settings. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  2. ^ 2.0 2.1 2.2 International Society for Infectious Diseases (3 June 2020). "ISID Council Members - ISID". Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  3. ^ 3.0 3.1 Colebunders R, Mariage JL, Coche JC, Pirenne B, Kempinaire S, Hantson P, Van Gompel A, Niedrig M, Van Esbroeck M, Bailey R, Drosten C, Schmitz H. A Belgian traveler who acquired yellow fever in the Gambia. Clin Infect Dis. 2002 Nov 15;35(10):e113-6. doi: 10.1086/344180. Epub 2002 Oct 28. PMID: 12410495.
  4. ^ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "About Robert Colebunders | Robert Colebunders | University of Antwerp". www.uantwerpen.be. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  5. ^ Colebunders R, Mann JM, Francis H, Bila K, Izaley L, Kakonde N, Kabasele K, Ifoto L, Nzilambi N, Quinn TC, et al. Evaluation of a clinical case-definition of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in Africa. Lancet. 1987 Feb 28;1(8531):492-4. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(87)92099-x. PMID: 2881049.
  6. ^ Colebunders, R, Kintin, D, Fleerackers, Y, Demeulenaere, T, Vandenbruaene, M, Goeman, J, Kestens, L, Farber, CM & Soete, F 1993, 'Surveillance case definition for AIDS in resource-poor countries [letter]', Lancet, vol. 342, pp. 864-865.
  7. ^ Piot, Peter; Colebunders, Robert (1988). "Symptômes cliniques". Santé du monde 1988 ; mars : 25-26.
  8. ^ Mann JM, Francis H, Mwandagalirwa K, Ndongala L, Mavunza-Paka D, Baekert G, Malonga M, Bosenge N, Nzilambi N, Colebunders RC, et al. ELISA readers and HIV antibody testing in developing countries. Lancet. 1986 Jun 28;1(8496):1504. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(86)91541-2. PMID: 2873309.
  9. ^ 9.0 9.1 Piot, Peter (2012). No Time to Lose: A Life in Pursuit of Deadly Viruses. London and New York: W.W. Norton & Company. ISBN 9780393084115.
  10. ^ National Library of Medicine. "Robert Colebunders and HIV". National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  11. ^ Cohen, J. "Gesundes Reisen". www.gesundes-reisen.eu. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  12. ^ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Emerging Infectious Diseases journal". wwwnc.cdc.gov. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  13. ^ Bwaka, M. A.; Bonnet, M. J.; Calain, P.; Colebunders, R.; De Roo, A.; Guimard, Y.; Katwiki, K. R.; Kibadi, K.; Kipasa, M. A.; Kuvula, K. J.; Mapanda, B. B.; Massamba, M.; Mupapa, K. D.; Muyembe-Tamfum, J. J.; Ndaberey, E. (February 1999). "Ebola hemorrhagic fever in Kikwit, Democratic Republic of the Congo: clinical observations in 103 patients". The Journal of Infectious Diseases. 179 Suppl 1: S1–7. doi:10.1086/514308. ISSN 0022-1899. PMID 9988155.
  14. ^ Colebunders, Robert; Tshomba, Antoine; Van Kerkhove, Maria D.; Bausch, Daniel G.; Campbell, Pat; Libande, Modeste; Pirard, Patricia; Tshioko, Florimond; Mardel, Simon; Mulangu, Sabue; Sleurs, Hilde; Rollin, Pierre E.; Muyembe-Tamfum, Jean-Jacques; Jeffs, Benjamin; Borchert, Matthias (15 November 2007). "Marburg hemorrhagic fever in Durba and Watsa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: clinical documentation, features of illness, and treatment". The Journal of Infectious Diseases. 196 Suppl 2: S148–153. doi:10.1086/520543. ISSN 0022-1899. PMID 17940943.
  15. ^ 15.0 15.1 "Project in de kijker : HIV-SAM - Sankaa Koepelorganisatie VZW" (in Nederlands). 13 April 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  16. ^ European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership. "EDCTP Annual Report 2011 - Progress on grants signed before 2011". www.edctp.org. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  17. ^ "VLIR-IUC Limpopo partnership". University of Antwerp. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  18. ^ University of Antwerp. "South Sudan | Global Health Institute | University of Antwerp". www.uantwerpen.be. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  19. ^ FWO awards 5 ITM senior research projects. (2022). Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp. At https://www.itg.be/en/health-stories/articles/fwo-awards-senior-research-projects
  20. ^ FaculteitFBD (23 October 2020). UAntwerp Open Access Week 2020: Prof. Robert Colebunders. Retrieved 24 July 2024 – via YouTube.
  21. ^ Van Cutsem G, Siewe Fodjo JN, Dekker MCJ, Amaral LJ, Njamnshi AK, Colebunders R. Case definitions for onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy and nodding syndrome: A focused review. Seizure. 2023 Apr;107:132-135. doi: 10.1016/j.seizure.2023.03.024. Epub 2023 Mar 31. PMID: 37023626.
  22. ^ "BBC World Service - Health Check, Mystery of Nodding Syndrome Revealed, Nodding syndrome mystery finally solved". BBC. 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  23. ^ "Sciforum - Pathogens-1". sciforum.net. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  24. ^ Peters, Martijn (25 September 2020). "UAntwerpen-onderzoeker ontdekt oorzaak van mysterieuze knikkebolziekte". HLN. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  25. ^ Colebunders R, Siewe Fodjo JN. COVID-19 in Low and Middle Income Countries. Pathogens. 2022 Nov 11;11(11):1325. doi: 10.3390/pathogens11111325. PMID: 36422577; PMCID: PMC9692955.
  26. ^ Villar JC, Gumisiriza N, Abreu LG, Maude RJ, Colebunders R. Defining post-COVID condition. Lancet Infect Dis. 2022 Mar;22(3):316-317. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(22)00060-3. PMID: 35218747; PMCID: PMC8865876.
  27. ^ Colebunders, Robert; Kenyon, Chris (2022). "Extensive Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission associated with low mortality in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. For how long?". Clinical Infectious Diseases. 74 (5): 891–892. doi:10.1093/cid/ciab593. ISSN 1058-4838. PMID 34181705.
  28. ^ Mande G, Akonda I, De Weggheleire A, Brosius I, Liesenborghs L, Bottieau E, Ross N, Gembu GC, Colebunders R, Verheyen E, Ngonda D, Leirs H, Laudisoit A. Enhanced surveillance of monkeypox in Bas-Uélé, Democratic Republic of Congo: the limitations of symptom-based case definitions. Int J Infect Dis. 2022 Sep;122:647-655. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2022.06.060. Epub 2022 Jul 7. PMID: 35809857; PMCID: PMC9628793.
  29. ^ World Health Organization. "Mpox (monkeypox) outbreak 2022". www.who.int. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  30. ^ Amaral, Luís-Jorge. "2nd International workshop on Onchocerciasis-Associated Epilepsy | Onchocerciasis-Associated Epilepsy | University of Antwerp". www.uantwerpen.be. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  31. ^ "COLEBUNDERS (27 02 2024) - Onchocerciasis (rivierblindheid) kan ook rivierepilepsie (onchocerciasis-geassocieerde epilepsie) veroorzaken | RAOS". www.kaowarsom.be. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
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