Mathias Ackermann studied veterinary medicine in Switzerland at Zurich University, from which he graduated in 1971. In 1982 he obtained his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (Dr. med.vet.) and in 1988 his 'Habilitation' (a PhD equivalent) in virology. He began his scientific career at the Federal Vaccine Institute in Basle (1982-1983; director Dr. Ueli Kihm), and continued as a research fellow of the National Science Foundation at the University of Chicago (1983-1985; director Professor Bernhard Roizman). Upon return he became scientific officer at the Federal Vaccine Institute in Basle, and in 1987 its deputy director. Since 1990, he is Full Professor for Virology and Director of the Institute for Virology at the Veterinary Faculty, University of Zurich.

Professor Ackermann's research is focused on the ruminant herpesviruses, including bovine herpesviruses type 1 and 5, caprine herpesvirus 1, and ovine herpesvirus 2. Studies on Pseudorabies (Aujeszky's disease) virus, feline herpesvirus, Bornavirus, and porcine epidemic diarrhea coronavirus complete the range of his research interest. His mission in research is to understand and exploit host-virus interactions for the benefit of animal husbandry and human health; to this purpose he roams the fields of virology, immunology, and gene therapy.

Professor Ackermann has contributed mor than 20 articles in high-ranking journals on herpesviruses alone; his most significant contributions to virology are the papers in which he identified the ovine herpesvirus type 2 as the true agent of sheep-associated Malignant Catarrhal Fever (J. Clin. Microbiol. 36(10): 2970-2972, 1998). His interest in the development of vaccines and vaccination strategies is apparent from his paper "BAC-VAC, a novel generation of (DNA) vaccines: a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) containing a replication competent, packaging-defective virus genome induces protective immunity against HSV-1." (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA; 96: 12697-12702, 1999).

Professor Ackermann has been President of the European Society for Veterinary Virology from 1994 until 2000. In December 2000, he was selected by the World Association for Buiatrics as the winner of the Pfizer Award for outstanding contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the origin and treatment of bovine diseases caused by microorganisms.

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