Juan Antonio Montaño-Hirose was born in Mexico City. He studied veterinary medicine and zootechnics at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. He has a Specialty in Educational Technology from the Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo, a Master of Science (Biochemistry) from the Federal University of Paraná (in Brazil) and a PhD in Life Sciences (Immunology) from the University of Paris; he prepared his doctoral thesis at the Pasteur Institute in Paris on bat-borne rabies, with honorable mention. He has worked at the Mexico-United States Commission for the Prevention of Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Vineland Laboratories (Mexico), Paraná Institute of Technology (Brazil), Pasteur Mérieux Sérums et Vaccins (France), UNAM, UAEH, SENASICA and the Technological University of Tecámac. He has published several scientific articles, chapters in books on Virology and Immunology, and the book Selected Topics in Veterinary Immunology. He was distinguished with the Golden Scroll Award of the State of Paraná, Brazil, Paul Harris medal by Rotary International and the Veterinary Award, awarded by CANIFARMA. He is a founding member of the Ibero-American Biosafety Group. He belonged to the National System of Researchers and has organized national and international congresses on Virology, Speleology and Rabies. He is a member of several committees of the National Technical Advisory Council on Animal Health (CONASA), the American Association of Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories (AAVLD), the Animal Health Association of the United States (USAHA) and the Mexican Biosafety Association (Amexbio). Key achievements over the past few years include:

• Participated in the development of the emergency vaccine against H7N3 avian influenza in record time.

• He was a member of the Scientific Commission of the WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health, founded as OIE).

• He is currently Secretary of the Scientific Committee