Dr. Adam Wesley Whisnant earned his PhD in molecular genetics and microbiology from Duke University, where he studied retrovirus–microRNA interactions. Prior to that, he completed three bachelor's degrees (zoology, biochemistry, and chemistry) at North Carolina State University, graduating summa cum laude with a 3.9 GPA and membership in Phi Beta Kappa. He is currently an Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellow at Hannover Medical School, Germany, having previously spent nearly a decade at Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg.

Dr. Adam Whisnant is a virologist at Hannover Medical School (Medizinische Hochschule Hannover), whose research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) gene regulation, host–virus interactions, and the viral manipulation of transcriptional control. His work has combined innovative transcriptomic and multi-omics approaches with classical virology, producing high-impact contributions to the understanding of HSV-1 biology and models for viral latency and reactivation. He has authored several publications in journals such as Nature Communications and the Journal of Virology, and his ongoing projects promise to make significant advances in the field. He contributed to a paper published in Nature, which shows that HSV-1 and influenza A virus-induced disruption of transcription termination results in long aberrant nuclear RNAs that form Z-RNA, leading to ZBP1 activation and subsequent cell death.

The following is a short interview with Dr. Adam Whisnant:

1. First of all, congratulations on winning the Microorganisms Travel Award. Could you please introduce yourself and tell us about your current research interests?
I would first like to thank Microorganisms and the review committee for this honor. My research focuses on how herpes simplex virus (HSV) hijacks host cells, particularly through changes in RNA transcription and RNA stability. I aim to identify the mechanisms by which HSV redirects cellular pathways to promote viral replication while simultaneously interfering with their normal function to suppress host antiviral responses.
While my work has historically focused on the lytic phase, the stage leading to cell death and viral progeny production, I have recently expanded my scope into neuronal latency. This is where the virus remains cloaked from the immune system for decades and periodically reactivates. Understanding these reservoirs of recurring reactivation and shedding is the next frontier in my work, and this award provides vital momentum for that transition.

2. Can you share with us your feelings after winning the award?
I am truly delighted to be selected. Given the high caliber of research published in this field, I am certain there were many excellent applications, and I am honored to be chosen from among them. Beyond personal pride, this award carries tangible weight as I move toward the next milestone of my career: establishing an independent research group. Having this merit recognized by a respected journal is a significant asset in that journey.

3. Can you briefly introduce which conference you plan to attend with this award? What is the significance of attending such conferences in expanding your international collaboration or enhancing your academic influence?
I will attend the International Herpesvirus Workshop, held this year in Montreal, Canada. It is the pre‑eminent meeting in my field, bringing together young researchers with those who literally wrote the book on herpesviruses. It is the best venue to learn about new findings and techniques before they appear in print and to discuss future directions both formally and informally.
In my experience, international collaboration is rarely born from a cold email to a busy PI. These meetings are essential because they allow for personal impressions. Some of my most productive collaborations have started over a coffee or a glass of wine during the workshop’s downtime. It is in these informal settings that people get to know you as both a researcher and a human being, rather than just a name on a Google Scholar list.

4. As a winner, how do you view the role of open access journals (such as Microorganisms) in academic communication? Will you consider reviewing or contributing to them in the future?
Open access journals such as Microorganisms play an essential role in modern scientific communication. Many institutions now prioritize or require open access publishing, and these journals ensure that research findings are available to the global community without barriers. We are currently navigating a “post-truth” era where public trust in scientific institutions is frequently challenged. Open access removes the paywall between the public and the research their tax dollars fund, allowing for transparency and direct engagement with basic research.
I have reviewed several manuscripts for Microorganisms, and over 100 for open access journals in general. I have also contributed three articles to sister journals such as Viruses and AI, and look forward to continuing my involvement with Microorganisms both as a reviewer and an author.

5. Could you share some advice for early career researchers who hope to make an impact in microbiology?
This advice is a synthesis of my own journey and advice I’ve gathered from Nobel Laureates at the Lindau Meetings. First, choose a topic that genuinely stimulates your curiosity. The topic should be something that drives you to not just read the top papers from the last few years, but to dive into the history of the field. When you understand how the current dogma was built, you can better identify where the gaps are. And you will be more confident when you have new findings that fit into, challenge, and expand existing models.
It is also valuable to find a niche that is not already saturated with large, well‑established groups. In less crowded areas, early‑career researchers can make meaningful contributions more quickly and develop a distinct scientific identity. Ultimately, curiosity and persistence are the most important drivers of impactful research.

6. Based on your experience, do you have any specific suggestions for the continued development of therapeutic targets?
Many groups are making important progress in identifying new therapeutic targets. While direct pathogen inhibitors remain essential, targeting host pathways required for infection is particularly promising. Since the host does not face the same selective pressure as the pathogen, this approach significantly reduces the emergence of drug resistance.
However, scientific breakthroughs must be paired with global accessibility. We often see a paradox where populations in low-income regions serve as cohorts for clinical trials yet cannot afford the resulting treatments once they reach the market. For pharmaceutics to truly evolve as a global health solution, we must consider affordability and licensing as core components of the development pipeline. A miracle drug only works if the people who bear the highest disease burden can access it, and not just wealthier populations that may already have access to alternative treatments.

Microorganisms Editorial Office