Shahan Azeem is an assistant professor at the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Lahore, Pakistan, a veterinary scientist, and a PhD Candidate in veterinary microbiology at Iowa State University (ISU), Ames, Iowa. He received a bachelor’s degree in veterinary science and a master’s in veterinary microbiology from the College of Veterinary Sciences, Lahore in 1998 and 2002, respectively.  He has a keen interest in animal influenza viruses and he has been involved in research projects relating to these viruses of various animal species. His PhD dissertation focuses on characterization and surveillance tools for avian influenza viruses in migratory wild birds and poultry. While conducing his dissertation research, Shahan has also been involved in diagnostic investigations of other viral and bacterial diseases. He was given Graduate Student Travel Award by the conference organizers to present at American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Rohde Island, in 2015 and again at North Central Avian Disease Conference, St. Paul, in 2017. His vision for the future includes becoming a scientist with a deep understanding of and concern for the needs and problems of the poultry and livestock farming community. Personally Shahan has a 5-year-old son and enjoys reading and outdoor activities for leisure.