Mark Geels | Senior Director
IAVI

Mark J. Geels, PhD is a senior biotechnology executive with over two decades of experience in vaccine development, translational science, and strategic program leadership. He currently serves as Senior Director at IAVI, where he coordinates transversal efforts across the organization’s Discovery Science laboratories, overseeing governance, strategic planning, budgeting, and cross-functional integration. In parallel, Dr. Geels co-leads at IAVI the product development using HIV bnAbs for prevention of HIV infection, guiding the program from translational research through clinical advancement. His role bridges scientific innovation with global health impact, with a focus on product readiness, cross-functional execution, and international stakeholder alignment. Dr. Geels has previously held leadership roles across the vaccine development value chain. At MSD Animal Health, he directed global manufacturing strategy, overseeing major investment and divestment projects across a complex international network. He has led licensing negotiations with vaccine manufacturers, managed EU-funded consortia focused on early-stage clinical vaccine development, and operationalized international health-tech programs involving regulators, researchers, and public stakeholders. He holds a PhD from the University of Amsterdam in HIV immunology and vaccine design, and brings a track record of driving high-stakes programs at the intersection of science, strategy, and execution.