Mieke Steensels is a Belgian bioscience engineer and senior scientist at Sciensano, the Belgian institute for public and animal health, where she serves as Head of the Avian Virology and Aquatic Diseases Service. She coordinates national diagnostic, surveillance, research, and reference activities for avian and aquatic animal diseases and leads several National Reference Laboratories, including those for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease. Her expertise encompasses avian virology, infectious disease surveillance, vaccination, biosecurity, and zoonotic disease preparedness. Dr. Steensels has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications and is internationally recognized for her contributions to avian influenza, Newcastle disease, emerging viral diseases, and veterinary public health.