Positions
- Director, Vaccine Research Center (VRC)
-
Molecular Virology and Microbiology
ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ of Medicine
- Professor
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Molecular Virology and Microbiology
ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ of Medicine
Houston, TX, US
- Kyle and Josephine Morrow Chair in Molecular Virology and Microbiology
-
ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ of Medicine
Houston, Texas, United States
Education
- B.A. from Duke University
- 01/1973 - Durham, NC, United States
- M.D. from Duke University School Of Medicine
- 01/1977 - Durham, NC, United States
- Advanced Training from Duke University Affiliate Hospitals
- 01/1977 - Durham, NC, United States
- Advanced Training from Duke University Affiliate Hospitals
- 01/1978 - Durham, NC, United States
- Advanced Training from Duke University Affiliate Hospitals
- 01/1980 - Durham, NC, United States
- Advanced Training from ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Of Medicine Affiliate Hospitals
- 01/1981 - Houston, TX, United States
Professional Interests
- Vaccine development and evaluation
Professional Statement
Infectious diseases remain major causes of morbidity and mortality in human populations. Prevention of infection or illness by means of immunization is considered one of the greatest public health accomplishments of all times. We are interested in the development and evaluation of a number of vaccines, with a particular emphasis on prevention of respiratory infections and other emerging infectious diseases. Our group is involved in both the preclinical and clinical stages of vaccine development, including phase I to phase IV clinical trials. Recent research activities have focused on the development of live attenuated and improved inactivated influenza virus vaccines, including 2009 H1N1 vaccines and other candidate vaccines for control of pandemic influenza (H5, H7, and H9). We are also exploring immunization of pregnant women to protect both the mother and her baby against influenza and pertussis. Major goals for improved vaccines include enhancement of mucosal and cell-mediated immune responses. Several approaches are being explored to achieve these goals, including topical administration of antigens (oral or intranasal), increasing the dose of antigen, combined topical and parenteral immunization, and evaluation of candidate adjuvants. Other activities include evaluation of vaccines for prevention of smallpox, cytomegalovirus and rotavirus infections; and development of a human challenge model for Norovirus infection which can be used to evaluate vaccines and other control measures
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Latest publications
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