Dr. Mathew D. Esona serves as a Senior Research Microbiologist in the Rotavirus Surveillance and Molecular Epidemiology Team, Viral Gastroenteritis Branch, Division of Viral Diseases, NCIRD, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Dr. Esona received his B.Sc in General Microbiology from Usman Danfodio University Sokoto in Nigeria, his M.Sc degree in Medical Microbiology from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria, and his Ph.D in Medical Virology from Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University Pretoria, South Africa (Formally known as Medical University of Southern Africa, MEDUNSA). Dr. Esona completed a 2-year post-doctoral training at the MRC/Diarrheal Pathogen Research Unit at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University Pretoria, South Africa, investigating the burden of rotavirus disease in South Africa and creating awareness of the burden of the rotavirus associated diarrheal throughout Africa.

Dr. Esona joined the CDC in 2005 as a post-doctoral fellow in the Viral Gastroenteritis Branch (formally known as Gastroenteritis and Respiratory Viruses Laboratory Branch). Dr. Esona has authored and co-authored more than 125 peer-reviewed scientific articles and a book chapter in the field of rotavirology and serves as peer reviewer for medical and public health journals. He has received several CDC recognitions for scientific excellence. He has served on numerous CDC committees, working groups and employee organization and he is currently the President of OAPHP (Organization for African Public Health Professionals, CDC employee organization) and the Treasurer of Sigma XI, CDC Chapter. He is a member of the Global Rotavirus Classification Working Group, the American Society for Virology, the African Rotavirus Surveillance Network and many other research bodies.

Dr Esona is most proud of his accomplishments in mentoring the next generation researchers, including, Professor Maryam Aminu, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria; Dr. Valentine Ngum Ndze, who received the 2014 President of Cameroon Best Doctorate graduate award in the Republic of Cameroon; Professor Mapaseka Seheri, who is currently the Director for Research and Deputy Director of the MRC/Diarrheal Pathogen Research Unit at the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University Pretoria, South Africa; Dr. Martin Nyaga, Senior Lecturer/ Researcher: Next Generation Sequencing: Office of the Dean: Health Sciences, Ms. Nonkululeko Magagula, who is working at the MRC/Diarrheal Pathogen Research Unit, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University Pretoria, South Africa, Dr. Boda Maurice, Senior Lecturer at the University of Yaoundé, Cameroon and many others.

Though he has worked with pathogens such as HIV, Hepatitis, Ebola, Zika and

 SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), Dr. Esona’s research interests include all aspect of viral gastrointestinal disease, including detection, characterization, prevention and control of rotavirus infections.