Rupert Kaul is a Professor and clinician-scientist at the University of Toronto, where he serves as Division Director of Infectious Diseases, and is Division Head of Infectious Diseases at University Health Network/Mount Sinai Hospital. His research examines the immune mechanisms that shape susceptibility to and transmission of infectious diseases, with longstanding expertise in HIV, mucosal immunology and the microbiome. His translational research spans clinical cohorts and collaborations in Canada, Kenya and Uganda. As Academic Director of EPIC, Dr. Kaul brings extensive experience bridging clinical care, research and global partnerships to advance collaborative approaches to emerging and pandemic infections.