Christoph Stephan | Infektiologie | Best Research Article Award

Prof. Christoph Stephan | Infektiologie | Best Research Article Award

Universitätsklinik Frankfurt | Germany

Professor Christoph Stephan is a distinguished physician and academic leader in internal medicine and infectious diseases at University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University. He serves as the lead physician of the HIVCENTER, the largest university-based outpatient clinic for individuals living with HIV, and has coordinated numerous clinical trials as principal investigator. Renowned for his expertise in HIV pharmacotherapy, management of opportunistic infections, and antimicrobial stewardship, he combines clinical excellence with groundbreaking research. Stephan is an active member of national and international infectious disease societies and has contributed significantly to guideline development programs and educational initiatives. With extensive teaching, mentoring, and publication experience, he has shaped the careers of numerous healthcare professionals. His scholarly work demonstrates a commitment to advancing understanding of HIV and infectious diseases, optimizing patient care, and fostering collaboration between clinical practice and scientific research, establishing him as a global authority in his field.

Profile

ORCID

Education

Professor Stephan completed rigorous medical training and specialized education in internal medicine and infectious diseases, acquiring extensive knowledge of clinical care, pharmacotherapy, and diagnostic methods. His advanced studies included intensive coursework and practical rotations in infectious disease management, HIV care, and treatment of opportunistic infections. Through formal medical education, professional certification, and continuous clinical training, he developed expertise in patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, and research methodology. Stephan’s education also encompassed advanced learning in antimicrobial stewardship, clinical trials management, and guideline development. Complementing his medical degree, he participated in workshops, seminars, and professional development programs focused on HIV medicine, virology, immunology, and healthcare innovation. His education laid the foundation for academic and clinical excellence, enabling him to contribute to national and international scientific communities, mentor emerging professionals, and develop comprehensive care strategies for complex infectious diseases. His dedication to lifelong learning has strengthened his role as both a clinician and a researcher of global standing.

Experience

Professor Stephan has extensive experience as a senior physician and infectious disease specialist at University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University. He leads the HIVCENTER, providing comprehensive care to people living with HIV, and oversees numerous outpatient programs and clinical services. As a principal investigator in multiple clinical trials, he has coordinated interdisciplinary teams, managed research protocols, and contributed to scientific advancements in HIV pharmacotherapy and infectious disease treatment. Stephan has significant teaching and mentoring experience, guiding medical students, residents, and early-career researchers in clinical practice, research methodology, and patient care. He actively participates in the development of national and international guidelines, committees, and educational initiatives for infectious diseases. His experience spans clinical practice, research, publication, and policy development, demonstrating leadership, innovation, and commitment to healthcare excellence. Through his work, he has enhanced patient outcomes, advanced scientific knowledge, and strengthened the integration of research and practice in infectious disease management.

Awards and Honors

Professor Christoph Stephan has received recognition for his outstanding contributions to infectious disease research, HIV care, and medical education. He is widely respected for his leadership in clinical trials, scientific publications, and guideline development programs, earning acclaim from national and international professional societies. Stephan’s expertise in HIV medicine, antimicrobial stewardship, and treatment of opportunistic infections has been acknowledged through appointments to advisory boards, leadership roles in professional organizations, and invitations to speak at prestigious conferences. His scholarly achievements, including authorship of numerous textbook chapters and peer-reviewed publications, have further established him as a thought leader in the field. Awards and honors reflect his dedication to improving patient care, advancing medical science, and mentoring future generations of clinicians and researchers. Through recognition from professional associations, academic institutions, and research communities, Stephan’s contributions continue to inspire excellence in the practice and study of infectious diseases and HIV medicine worldwide.

Research Focus

Professor Stephan’s research centers on HIV pharmacotherapy, treatment of opportunistic infections, and antimicrobial stewardship. His work investigates the optimization of antiretroviral therapy, mechanisms of HIV resistance, and strategies to prevent and manage secondary infections in immunocompromised patients. Stephan also explores the clinical and virological outcomes of novel treatment regimens, contributing to evidence-based approaches that improve patient health and quality of life. He is deeply involved in clinical trials, evaluating the safety, efficacy, and long-term impacts of antiviral therapies. His research encompasses guideline development, translational studies, and the integration of clinical findings into routine patient care. By combining rigorous scientific inquiry with practical healthcare applications, Stephan advances understanding of HIV pathophysiology, treatment challenges, and therapeutic innovations. He collaborates with national and international research networks, contributing to multicenter studies, publications, and knowledge dissemination. His work aims to enhance treatment strategies, support personalized medicine, and improve global standards of care for people living with HIV.

 

Publications

 

Title: Clinical Epidemiology of Cancer in People Living with HIV in Germany: A Retrospective, Observational, Multicenter, Federated Claims Data Analysis
Year: 2025

Title: Effectiveness, safety, and patient‐reported outcomes of emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide‐based regimens for the treatment of HIV‐1 infection: Final 24‐month results from the prospective German TAFNES cohort study
Year: 2025

Title: Antiretroviral treatment in PLWH with late diagnosis initiating ART with DTG/3TC or BIC/TAF/FTC: a real-world cohort analysis
Year: 2024

Title: Care interruptions and mortality among adults in Europe and North America
Year: 2024

Title: Coinfections and antimicrobial treatment in a cohort of falciparum malaria in a non-endemic country: a 10-year experience
Year: 2024

Title: Differences in the Course of CD4 and CD8 Cells After Chemoradiotherapy in People Living with HIV with Anal Cancer
Year: 2024

Title: HIV treatment with maraviroc: forgotten, not needed or still useful? Results from the MIRROR study
Year: 2024

Conclusion

Professor Christoph Stephan exemplifies excellence in clinical practice, research, and education in infectious diseases and HIV medicine, combining innovative research with compassionate patient care, impactful teaching, and leadership in guideline development, advancing global healthcare standards, improving patient outcomes, and inspiring the next generation of clinicians and researchers.

Theodoros Androutsakos | Viral hepatitis | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Theodoros Androutsakos | Viral hepatitis | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Theodoros Androutsakos (b. 30 Aug 1979, Athens 🇬🇷) is an esteemed internist & hepatologist, currently serving as an Academic Scholar at the Department of Pathophysiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens 🏥. With rich clinical, teaching, and research experience across Greece, Sweden 🇸🇪, and the USA 🇺🇸, his work focuses on liver diseases, autoimmune pathologies, and internal medicine. Fluent in English, Swedish & French 🌍, he is also the Head of multiple hepatology outpatient clinics and collaborates with Centers of Excellence for rare diseases. Passionate about education, he teaches medical, nursing, pharmacy, and dentistry students. 🧑‍🏫

Profile

Education 🎓

Dr. Androutsakos completed his secondary education at the 2nd High School of Paleo Faliro, Athens 📚. He earned his MD from NKUA (1998–2004), followed by rotational clinical training and medical licenses in Greece 🇬🇷 and Sweden 🇸🇪. He pursued internal medicine residencies in Sweden and at ‘Laiko’ Hospital, Athens. In 2014, he undertook a visiting scholarship at the University of Pittsburgh 🧬. He earned his PhD (NKUA) in 2020 on “HIV and the Liver” with distinction 🎓. He is certified in liver transient elastography (2024) and is fluent in English, Swedish, and French. His training blends European and American clinical perspectives 🏥🌐.

Experience 👨‍🏫

Dr. Androutsakos began his clinical path as a Rural GP in Lesvos (2005–2006) and Military Physician in Athens (2006–2007) 💂‍♂️. He completed residencies in Sweden 🇸🇪 and Athens 🇬🇷, and since 2015, he’s an Academic Scholar at NKUA’s Department of Pathophysiology. He leads the outpatient hepatology clinics for general and immunocompromised patients and contributes to Rare Disease Centers, including EuroBloodNet 🧬. He’s a principal investigator in international clinical trials (semaglutide, FGF-21 analogs) and lectures widely in undergraduate and postgraduate programs 📖. His dual role as educator and hepatologist positions him at the heart of Greek academic medicine 👨‍⚕️📚.

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

🎖️Dr. Androutsakos was awarded his PhD with Grade: Excellent by the Medical School of NKUA for his dissertation on “HIV and the Liver” 🎓. His international fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh (2014) marked a pivotal research milestone 🌍. He leads nationally recognized hepatology clinics for rare diseases and is a designated specialist for liver elastography (2024) 📊. His affiliations with Centers of Excellence (Rare Systemic Autoimmune Diseases & Hemoglobinopathies) and the EuroBloodNet network reflect his prestige in hepatology 🔬. His contributions to academic medicine and clinical research continue to earn peer recognition and institutional trust 🏆.

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Androutsakos focuses on hepatology, particularly Metabolic-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), autoimmune liver conditions, and HIV-related liver pathology 🧪. He is involved in Phase 2 & 3 clinical trials on semaglutide and FGF-21 analogs, targeting inflammation and fibrosis in NASH 🌱. His lab experience includes roles at NKUA and the University of Pittsburgh 🔬. He lectures on advanced liver pathophysiology and drug-induced liver injury and explores epigenetics, neuromodulation, and immunometabolism in liver diseases 🧠. Through translational research and clinical application, he aims to redefine liver diagnostics and therapeutics for rare and common hepatic conditions globally 🌍💡.

Publications 
  • AndroutsakosT, DimitriadisK, KoutsompinaML, VassilakisKD, PouliakisA, FragoulisGE. Hepatitis B reactivation in PsA patients: an SLR and meta-analysis for IL-17, IL-23 and JAK inhibitors. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2024 Aug 17:keae445. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keae445. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39153010.

 

  • Efe C, Lytvyak E, Eşkazan T, Liberal R, Androutsakos T, Turan Gökçe D, Terziroli Beretta-Piccoli B, Janik M, Bernsmeier C, Arvaniti P, Milkiewicz P, Batıbay E, Yüksekyayla O, Ergenç I, Arıkan Ç, Stättermayer AF, Barutçu S, Cengiz M, Gül Ö, Heurgue A, Heneghan MA, Verma S, Purnak T, Törüner M, Akdogan Kayhan M, Hatemi I, Zachou K, Macedo G, Drenth JPH, Björnsson E, Montano-Loza AJ, Wahlin S, Higuera-de la Tijera F. Efficacy and safety of infliximab in patients with autoimmune hepatitis. Hepatology. 2024 Sep 6. doi: 10.1097/HEP.0000000000001089. PMID: 39250458.

 

  • Zachou M, Nifora M, Androutsakos T, Katsaras G, Varytimiadis K, Zoumpouli C, Karantanos P, Lalla E, Mpetsios G, Panoutsakou M, Stoica R, Thermou D, Mavrogenis G, Ntikoudi E, Nikiteas N, Sougioultzis S, Kalaitzakis E, Kykalos S. Results of the COLDWATER randomized controlled trial: enhanced performance of underwater cold snare polypectomy for colorectal polyps 5-10 mm, independent of endoscopist experience. Ann Gastroenterol. 2024 Jul-Aug;37(4):466-475. doi: 10.20524/aog.2024.0889. Epub 2024 Jun 14. PMID: 38974083; PMCID: PMC11226736

 

  • Androutsakos T, Politou M, Boti S, Pittaras T, Kontos A, Kordossis T, Pouliakis A, Panayiotakopoulos G. Prevalence and Causes of Vitamin D Deficiency in a Cohort of Greek HIV-Infected Individuals: A Prospective, Single Center, Observational Study. Curr HIV Res. 2024;22(4):240-248. doi: 10.2174/011570162X302844240605104855. PMID: 38874038

 

  • Androutsakos T, Tsantzali I, Karagiannakis DS, Flevari P, Iakovou D, Pouliakis A, Kykalos S, Doris S, Xyla V. Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients with Hepatitis C Infection-Reversibility after HCV Eradication: A Single Center Study. Viruses. 2024 Mar 28;16(4):522. doi: 10.3390/v16040522. PMID: 38675865; PMCID: PMC11054011

 

  • Katelani S, Fragoulis GE, Bakasis AD, Pouliakis A, Nikiphorou E, Atzeni F, Androutsakos T. HBV reactivation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with anti-interleukin-6: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2023 Oct 23;62(SI3):SI252-SI259. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead243. PMID: 37871924; PMCID: PMC10715785

 

  • Androutsakos T, Dimitriadis K, Revenas K, Vergadis C, Papadakis DD, Sakellariou S, Vallilas C, Hatzis G. Liver Biopsy: To Do or Not to Do – A Single-Center Study. Dig Dis. 2023;41(6):913-921. doi: 10.1159/000533328. Epub 2023 Aug 23. PMID: 37611545