Prof. Dr. Paul Becher, DVM: Full professor and Head of the Institute of Virology at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany. Designated WOAH expert for Classical swine fever (CSF) and Director of the EU and WOAH Reference Laboratory for CSF. His work has focused on various aspects of the biology of classical swine fever virus, bovine viral diarrhea virus, and other veterinary-relevant viruses and zoonotic pathogens. This included studies on genetic variability, evolution, and host range of viruses, as well as on viral replication, virus-host interactions, and pathogenesis. Further research activities led to the discovery and characterization of new viruses in domestic and wild animals and have contributed to improved diagnosis and control of viral diseases in animals.