Professor for Personalized Molecular Microbiology
University Medical Center Groningen
Groningen, Netherlands
Prof. Dr. John W.A. Rossen is Professor at the Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control at the University of Groningen and at the Laboratory for Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at Isala Hospital in Zwolle, the Netherlands. With over 30 years of experience in molecular biology, virology, and microbiology, he has authored more than 235 peer-reviewed publications and is internationally recognized for his pioneering work in applying next-generation sequencing (NGS) to clinical microbiology and infection prevention.
He holds a BSc in Mathematics and Physics and an MSc in Biology from Utrecht University, where he also earned his PhD in Molecular Virology and Cell Biology in 1996, focusing on coronavirus–host cell interactions. Throughout his career, Prof. Rossen has demonstrated strong leadership and governance skills, serving as Chair of various scientific study groups, Faculty Council Member, Director of R&D and Head of Microbiology & Product Strategy at IDbyDNA, and Scientific Lead of the €7 million EU-funded DRAIGON project.
He has supervised 24 PhD students, fostering interdisciplinary research across microbiology, bioinformatics, epidemiology, and public health. His PAGE research group (Personalised Antimicrobial Resistance, Genomics, and Epidemiology) takes a One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health to better understand antimicrobial resistance and pathogen dynamics.
Between 2020 and 2021, he deepened his expertise in metagenomics during a sabbatical at IDbyDNA in the U.S. and continues to serve as Adjunct Professor at the University of Utah School of Medicine. At Isala, he also plays a key role as Medical Head of Innovation and Science, promoting collaboration between academia, healthcare, and industry to support translational research and regional innovation.
As Education Officer of the ESCMID Study Group for Genomic and Molecular Diagnostics and member of the ESCMID Global Program Committee, he contributes to global knowledge exchange and capacity building. His leadership bridges disciplines, aligning science with clinical needs and public health policy.
Disclosure(s): ARES GENETICS GMBH: Advisor/Consultant, Honoraria; Micronbane Medical: Expert Testimony
108 - AI in Clinical Microbiology
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
10:30 AM - 11:45 AM US ET
289 - Machine Learning Versus Microbes: A New Front in the Fight Against AMR
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
11:20 AM - 11:45 AM US ET