Esther-Maria Antao is a microbiologist and public health researcher with a strong foundation in bacteriology, molecular biology and particularly antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Her early postdoctoral work focused on promoting the rational use of antimicrobials through innovative communication strategies, which laid the groundwork for her broader engagement in public health—particularly in risk communication and public trust. At the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), she deepened her expertise in public health communication, with an emphasis on crisis communication during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to evidence-based messaging strategies for policy and public engagement. At the Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI), she is Scientific Lead at the Chair of Digital Global Public Health. Her work sits at the intersection of ethics, communication and digital health. Her current research focuses on developing ethical standards for digital health technologies and exploring the influence of social media on public health communication. In collaboration with Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, she aims to focus on using AI and technology towards understanding rare diseases such as Fragile X Syndrome. As a lecturer in HPI's Digital Health Master Program, Esther-Maria Antao teaches foundational courses in public health, biology, and ethics. Beyond her research and teaching, she is partnership lead of the transatlantic Digital Health Partnership between HPI and the Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Health at Mount Sinai, fostering international collaboration in responsible digital health innovation.