Associate Professor · University of La Réunion
Deputy Director, UMR PIMIT Lab
Antiviral Research · Tropical Infectious Diseases · Natural Product Chemistry
Professor Chaker El Kalamouni is an Associate Professor at the University of La Réunion and Deputy Director of the UMR PIMIT (Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical) laboratory — a joint research unit of INSERM, CNRS, IRD, and the University of La Réunion.
His research sits at the intersection of virology, natural product chemistry, and tropical medicine. He focuses on the discovery and development of antiviral compounds from medicinal plants — particularly those endemic to the Mascarene Islands and the broader Indian Ocean region — against emerging arboviruses including Zika virus, Dengue virus, SARS-CoV-2, and Ross River virus.
Beyond the laboratory, Professor El Kalamouni is deeply committed to education and community engagement. He directs the Master 2 Biologie Santé program in Tropical Infectiology and Zoonoses, training the next generation of researchers in tropical health sciences.
ICAR 2025 — Las Vegas, USA
Professor El Kalamouni presenting at the 38th International Conference on Antiviral Research
A flagship multi-institutional project investigating the replication properties and pathogenesis of contemporary African Zika virus strains. Addresses the urgent public health concern of Zika re-emergence in West Africa and aims to develop targeted antiviral strategies.
A multidisciplinary program linking Réunion Island's extraordinary biodiversity with infectious disease treatment. The Creole name reflects deep cultural roots. Aims to build an Extract Library of La Réunion and establish a high-throughput antiviral screening platform.
Targeted isolation and pharmacological characterization of antiviral cyclopeptides from tropical plant species. In collaboration with ICSN (CNRS), developed hit-to-lead analogues with potent activity against Zika and Dengue viruses, resulting in patent WO2024231530.
Beyond the laboratory, Professor El Kalamouni is committed to education, international collaboration, and ensuring that scientific discoveries benefit the communities most affected by tropical infectious diseases.
Leads the Master 2 Biologie Santé — Parcours Infectiologie Tropicale et Zoonoses at the University of La Réunion, training the next generation of tropical health scientists.
Serves as Academic Editor for PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, one of the world's leading open-access journals dedicated to diseases affecting the world's poorest populations.
Regular contributor to the International Conference on Antiviral Research (ICAR), presenting PIMIT's advances on natural product-based strategies against emerging viruses.
Leads collaborative research with institutions across France, Australia, Malaysia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Lithuania, and Vietnam — building bridges between tropical regions facing shared viral threats.
Through TRÉTZERBAJ, works directly with local economic actors, traditional medicine practitioners, and territorial development agencies to valorize Réunion's endemic medicinal plant heritage.
Co-inventor of a patent for novel antiviral cyclopeptides (WO2024231530), demonstrating the translational impact of fundamental research into potential therapeutic applications.
ICAR 2025 — Las Vegas, USA
Professor El Kalamouni presenting at the 38th International Conference on Antiviral Research"Establishment of different antiviral approaches using phytochemistry against emerging arboviruses."
— Professor Chaker El Kalamouni, Research Mission Statement
