Rotavirus is one of the diarrhea villains in our animated superhero epic, and if we were to follow in the footsteps of other action movie franchises to produce a prequel, Ruth Bishop would be our star.

A steadfast scientist with a deep desire to defeat diarrhea, in 1973, Bishop studied biopsies from children with gastroenteritis. Her resolute research revealed a vicious wheel-shaped virus infecting infants, and she exposed our insidious villain. And the rest is history.

Ruth Bishop's heroic feats have inspired countless other heroes and heroines to carry the torch and continue the fight against rotavirus. Dr. Bishop and other women in rotavirus are receiving special recognition at this year's Rotavirus Symposium, and we interviewed several of them about their superpowers. Check out their superhero profiles to learn more about their special talents: 

Superhero: Dr. Gagandeep Kang
Affiliation: Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore, India
Superpowers: Microbiology, with a focus on enteric infections in children, surveillance, and modes of transmission

If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and why?

Stretching time. Too much to do in India and other similar places, not enough people, and not enough time!

Who are your heroes?

Mary Estes, Ada Yonath—strong women, stronger scientists, not afraid of challenges, ready to take on and make new tools and persist in the search for answers to difficult questions.

Describe the moment you realized you wanted to work on rotavirus.

The first time I tested a green stool having predicted it would be rotavirus—and it was.

Describe a favorite memory or milestone in your fight against rotavirus.

Going to a meeting of the DSMB where the ROTAVAC® trial results would be unblinded, we were all nervous and placing bets on whether the vaccine would work, and if it did, what the efficacy would be. You can imagine the relief when we saw the results and knew that we finally had a made-in-India vaccine that could and would save children and protect families from emotional and economic hardship.

Superhero: Dr. Miren Iturriza-Gomara
Affiliation: University of Liverpool, England
Superpowers: Virology, with expertise in enteric virus infections, virus evolution, and molecular tools for diagnosing, monitoring, and tracking infections

If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and why?

I have always been jealous of Mary Poppins's powers… turning grumpy people into happy souls… I can see how applying this power on many of the current political leaders may go a long way to start reverting the current feeling of global mistrust and confrontation. Of course, I also would like to use her powers for tidying up effortlessly and to travel into imaginary worlds with my family and friends.

Who are your heroes?

Many, but thinking of translating research and scientific developments into tangible outcomes, it has to be the people on the ground. I am full of admiration for the many health workers who work tirelessly to bring relief to millions of disadvantaged people living the poorest and most challenging regions of the world, and without whom interventions such as vaccination campaigns would just not be possible.

Describe the moment you realized you wanted to work on rotavirus.

As far as I can remember, I always wanted to work in a laboratory. I fell in love with virology as an undergraduate student, and my interest in virology led me to work on rotaviruses. During my PhD in the UK I also had the opportunity to meet and work with scientists in India, where the burden of disease and the need for a rotavirus vaccine were so overwhelming. I realized then more than ever the importance of conducting applied research. 

Superhero: Dr. Toyoko Nakagomi
Affiliation: Nagasaki University, Japan
Superpowers: Molecular epidemiology, with a focus in rotavirus infection

Who are your heroes?

Marie Curie!

Describe the moment you realized you wanted to work on rotavirus.

I started my career as a paediatrician, and the first patient I saw was an infant with intussusception. I collected the cases and sneaked their stool in the collection of samples from diarrheal children where my colleague found rotavirus particles. That was how I made a debut as rotavirus researcher precisely four decades ago. 

Describe a favorite memory or milestone in your fight against rotavirus.

It was the moment that an unusual human rotavirus strain I isolated from an infant formed complete hybrid bands with a strain from a cat, which convinced me that rotaviruses cross the species barrier; an idea that was considered heresy a quarter of a century ago has now become commonplace.

Superhero: Dr. Julie Bines
Affiliation: Murdoch Children's Research Institute; University of Melbourne, Australia
Superpowers: Pediatric gastroenterology, neonatal rotavirus vaccine research and development

If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and why?

I would be an “Inequity buster” or “suffering stopper.” Why? There is so much inequity in the world that impacts on the future of the children—I would like to see that children did not have to suffer from disease and cruelty and to all have the best opportunity to lead a productive and fulfilling life.

Who are your heroes?

Of course Ruth Bishop—but the real heroes are the mothers of the world who nurture and care for their children sometimes in the face of amazing adversity.

Describe the moment you realized you wanted to work on rotavirus.

Backpacking through Africa and Asia, seeing first hand how hard life can be and seeing so many children suffer from preventable and treatable conditions.

Describe a favorite memory or milestone in your fight against rotavirus.

A “flashmob” of over 300 village midwives celebrating the completion of recruitment in the RV3 Indonesian trial.

Superhero: Dr. Kathleen Neuzil
Affiliation: Center for Vaccine Development, University of Maryland
Superpowers: Epidemiology, vaccine research and development, and health policy

If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and why?

Teleportation! This would allow me to never miss family events or my children's school activities and sports events while still traveling the world to continue my global health work, which is such an honor and privilege for me.

Describe the moment you realized you wanted to work on rotavirus.

The moment was in medical school, on my pediatric rotation, when I saw a 2-year-old girl with Hib meningitis and realized the potential for vaccines to prevent this devastating illness. 

Describe a favorite memory or milestone in your fight against rotavirus.

I attended the rotavirus vaccine launch in Mali in 2014.  I celebrated with colleagues, mothers, and government officials as the first infants in one of the poorest countries in the world received this lifesaving vaccine.

Superhero: Dr. Michelle Groome
Affiliation: Wits Health Consortium; The Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Soweto, South Africa
Superpowers: Epidemiology; clinical research on vaccine-preventable infectious diseases

If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and why?

Multiple elastic arms so that I could really multitask. Juggling a career, husband, and three daughters takes some doing. With extra pairs of elastic arms I could make supper while answering emails and help with homework all at the same time! I could then be “Super Mom/Wife/Vaccinologist.” Additionally, teleporting would be great when I am travelling internationally and will cut out all the transatlantic flights. Can also “pop” home to say night to the family and be back in no time.

Who are your heroes?

Favorite superhero: Thor (for obvious reasons). But seriously, South Africa is privileged to have several strong women in vaccine research, for example, Professor Helen Rees and Professor Glenda Gray. Both of them have made a significant contribution to the fight against HIV/AIDS in South Africa and are internationally known for their research. They truly inspire younger researchers, especially women, to achieve similar international recognition.

And as a runner, I must also mention a non-research heroine - Zola Budd, a South African runner who participated in the 1984 Olympic Games. I still remember watching the race. Although she may only be remembered by some as the person who “tripped” Mary Decker, she was a phenomenal athlete and is still competing in events, even at age 50. An inspiration.

Describe a favorite memory or milestone in your fight against rotavirus.

My favorite memory is the 8th African Rotavirus Symposium, which was held in June 2014 in Zambia. The setting was amazing, with the hotel right next to the Victoria Falls. Although the hotel warned that you may get wet when going to view the falls (I took this to mean there will be a light spray), I was not quite prepared for the enormity of the falls, which was more like being in a torrential downpour! The conference was great with many excellent speakers, and I had the chance to speak with Roger, Duncan, and Umesh about my current work and future aspirations. This impacted me greatly. 

Superhero: Irene Pérez Schael
Affiliation: Central University of Venezuela, Caracas
Superpowers: Scientific research in gastroenterology, pediatrics, vaccinology, and infectious diseases

If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and why?

If I had power and money, I would invest in health and education, because health plays an enormous role in population development and because, without education, NO one can reach desired development.

Who are your heroes?

The first is Dr. Albert Kapikian, the father of viral gastroenteritis and the creator of the first licensed rotavirus vaccine. He was passionate about improving the health of children and was a brilliant mentor and guide for my scientific career. The second is Dr. Roger Glass, an indefatigable and exceptional scientist who purses collaborative work among all investigators on the planet. He has been the bridge between the discovery and development of rotavirus vaccine and the people who most need it. My last hero is Bill Gates, who has changed the world's public health.

Describe a favorite memory or milestone in your fight against rotavirus.

I had the fortune to be involved in two milestones of rotavirus vaccine history. When the efficacy results of RotaShield® in Venezuela were published in 1997, for the first time, a rotavirus vaccine was found highly efficacious in a developing country. But then the vaccine was withdrawn, and we needed to start again. The second milestone occurred when the results of Rotarix® were published in 2006. This vaccine has had a tremendous impact on mortality and morbidity in the countries where it has been introduced, many in Latin America.

The history of rotavirus vaccine is full of advances and setbacks but also lessons, achievements, and opportunities for humankind and the scientific community, particularly in developing countries. It is a tribute to scientific creation, risk-taking, and the disciplined work of many actors pursuing wellbeing and social justice for children. 

Superhero: Dr. Yati Soenarto
Affiliation: Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia
Superpowers: Gastroenterology, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Advocacy

Who are your heroes?

My grandfather was a doctor and treated tuberculosis patients. But he would never accept their payment. He treated the patient as a complete human being and inspired me to be a doctor for the disadvantaged. I am 73 today, and I cannot retire! My granddaughter is now entering medical school, and I know that she will carry my grandfather's vision forward.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and why?

I would change the health system so that the most disadvantaged would be the ones who receive the best care.