ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER
Dr Luiz Zerbini received his PhD from the University of São Paulo in 1999, where he conducted research in gene therapy. He joined Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and Harvard Medical School in 1999 as a postdoctoral researcher. In 2004, he was promoted to a faculty position at Harvard Medical School and became Associate Director for Proteomics Research at the BIDMC Genomics Center.
Dr Zerbini joined the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) as Group Leader for Cancer Genomics in March 2009. ICGEB provides a scientific and educational environment of the highest standard and conducts innovative research in the life sciences for the benefit of developing countries. It strengthens the research capabilities of its member states through training and funding programmes, advisory services, and a comprehensive approach to promoting biotechnology and science diplomacy internationally.
Dr Zerbini became Interim Director of the ICGEB Cape Town Component in 2016 and Acting Director in 2021. In 2024, he was appointed Director of the Cape Town Component. He is also an Honorary Associate Professor in the Department of Medical Biochemistry at the University of Cape Town.
For the past 24 years, Dr Zerbini has worked in translational cancer research, with a focus on genomics, proteomics and metabolomics. He has also developed an innovative research programme focused on the genetic makeup of African populations to support more effective treatments for different types of cancer. His research has been widely supported by funding organisations including the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), the US Department of Defense (DoD), the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa, and the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme.