Dr Sareeta Bagri

Sareeta completed her PhD at The University of Warwick in 2024. She joined The Pirbright Institute in 2025 and is currently a postdoctoral scientist in the Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease Virus Group under the leadership of Prof. Munir Iqbal.

Her research focuses on the antigenic evolution and diversity of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus clade 2.3.4.4b. She investigates the molecular determinants that influence influenza virus host range, including factors affecting receptor binding, antigenicity, and viral stability associated with infection in both avian and human hosts. Alongside this, Sareeta is exploring alternative vaccine strategies and virus rescue systems aimed at improving the efficacy of multivalent vaccines. She is also contributing to the development of novel vaccine candidates designed to support differentiation of infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA) approaches and facilitate pen-side diagnostic applications.