Draft:Robert Colebunders

Prof. Emeritus Robert Colebunders (born 19 April 1950) is a Belgian clinician and researcher specialised in infectious diseases. He has contributed to the study and management of various pathogens, including Ebola, AIDS, tuberculosis and, more recently, COVID-19, monkeypox and onchocerciasis.

Colebunders investigated significant disease outbreaks like the Kikwit Ebola Virus.. and Durba Marburg Virus outbreaks, contributing to the advancement of understanding and management of these deadly pathogens. During the 1980s, Colebunders' research helped defining the clinical manifestations of HIV infection in Africa and developing diagnostic tests for the virus. This work laid the foundation for further advancements in HIV/AIDS diagnosis, treatment and surveillance.

Throughout his career, Colebunders has focused on improving patient outcomes, particularly in resource-limited settings. His studies on enhancing the quality of care for individuals living with HIV and HIV/tuberculosis co-infection have had a positive impact on clinical practice. Colebunders' efforts in organising and coordinating care and treatment strategies for HIV have contributed to more effective healthcare delivery models, benefiting affected persons worldwide.

In response to emerging infectious threats, Colebunders has been actively involved in research initiatives to understand and combat diseases such as COVID-19 and monkeypox. His studies on COVID-19 epidemiology in low- and middle-income countries and contributions to defining post-COVID conditions have informed global response efforts and public health policies. He also participated in monkeypox research during the 2022-2023 outbreak

Currently, Colebunders leads research on onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE), a debilitating condition found in regions where onchocerciasis is endemic. Through collaborative efforts, he is advancing the understanding of the intricate relationship between onchocerciasis and epilepsy, termed onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE), and developing approaches for disease prevention and management. Notably, his research has shown the potential effectiveness of onchocerciasis control programmes in preventing new OAE cases , highlighting the importance of integrated public health strategies.

Colebunders' work has also explored the potential link between OAE and conditions like Nodding syndrome and Nakalanga syndrome. Additionally, he has developed practical interventions for managing individuals with OAE, inclduing providing antiseizure medication and addressing the stigma associated with epilepsy

Career
Robert Colebunders begain his medical career in 1974, serving as Head of the Department of Pediatrics in a major urban hospital in Setif, Algeria. He later expanded his experience to include healthcare provision in rural Bougaa, Algeria. Between 1976 and 1982, he pursued a residency in internal medicine at St Pierre University Hospital in Brussels, Belgium, solidifying his expertise in the field.

From 1982 to 1984, Colebunders held a senior fellowship in Internal Medicine, contributing to the University Hospital Antwerp's Department of Cardiology and Hospital St.-Mariagasthuis in Berchem, Belgium. A shift came in 1984 when he became the coordinator of clinical studies on HIV/AIDS for "Project SIDA" ("Project AIDS" in English) in Kinshasa, Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo), a position he held until 1987. He furthered his research in this area as a visiting scientist at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) International Activities HIV/AIDS program in Atlanta, USA, in 1988.

From 1989 to 2004, Colebunders led the coordination of HIV/AIDS patient care and clinical research at the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp (ITM) in Belgium. In 1995, he was appointed Professor in Tropical Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) at ITM, Antwerp. He further expanded his academic roles in 1996, becoming Professor in Infectious Diseases at the University of Antwerp (UA).

In 2004, Colebunders took a sabbatical to serve as a Senior Clinical Investigator at the Infectious Diseases Institute in Kampala, Uganda. Upon his return to ITM, Antwerp, in April 2005, he led the clinical HIV/STD Unit in the Department of Clinical Sciences until April 2014.

Since October 2014, Colebunders has held the title of Emeritus Professor at ITM. His research continues to focus on onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy. His dedication to this field has been further evidenced by grants awarded, including a HORIZON grant (2015-2020) and an FWO senior research project (2022). 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)