IDCRC Newsletter: June 2025

Spotlight: "DoxyShort” Study Protocol Co-Chairs

This month, we are excited to spotlight our two protocol co-chairs for the IDCRC-supported, "DoxyShort” study. This study is a phase IV blinded, randomized, active-controlled, non-inferiority trial comparing the efficacy of a three-day versus seven-day regimen of doxycycline for chlamydia treatment. This trial involves seven sites associated with three VTEUs (Emory University, University of Rochester, and University of Washington) in Kenya and the United States.

Keep scrolling to learn more about these two outstanding IDCRC investigators...

Julie C. Dombrowski, MD, MPH

Julie Dombrowski, MD, MPH, is a professor of medicine at the University of Washington, Director of HIV Treatment Initiatives in the Public Health – Seattle & King County HIV/STI/HCV Program, and Co-Director of the UW/Fred Hutch CFAR (Centers for AIDS Research).

"The depth and breadth of clinical trials expertise in the IDCRC make it possible to conduct studies that wouldn’t be feasible without the network. The built-in relationships between the institutions and investigators involved in the IDCRC are invaluable for launching a clinical trial," shares Dr. Dombrowski.

READ DOMBROWSKI'S SPOTLIGHT

Christine Khosropour, PhD, MPH

Christine Khosropour, PhD, MPH, is an associate professor of epidemiology at the University of Washington (UW) and an associate director of the UW/Fred Hutch Center for AIDS Research Implementation Science Core. Her work involves both research and applied epidemiology in the field of STI/HIV prevention and control, with a particular focus on the treatment, natural history, transmission, and health implications of chlamydial infection.

"The DoxyShort study highlights the importance of the IDCRC to fill a gap in funding pragmatic trials. DoxyShort is very practical," shares Dr. Khosropour.

READ KHOSROPOUR'S SPOTLIGHT

Publications

NOTE: Please include the following citation in any publications resulting from direct or indirect IDCRC support:

"Supported by the Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Consortium through the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health, under award number UM1AI148684. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health."

View recent IDCRC Publications:

Manual of Procedures Sections

View the recently approved IDCRC Manual of Procedures (MOP) section that describes the structure, operating policies, roles, and responsibilities of entities and individuals within the unit/consortium:

Section 11: Human Subject Considerations

VIEW ALL SECTIONS

Training

IDCRC Mentee Profile: E. Chandler Church, MD

E. Chandler Church, MD, is a staff physician in the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. She conducts research in tuberculosis vaccines and diagnostics. Her primary project is working on the development of a challenge model for tuberculosis (TB) for use in early-stage vaccine and treatment clinical trials. Her recent work has focused on using Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) intradermally as a surrogate for TB, but may in the future expand to the use of genetically modified strains of MTB and to pulmonary administration of the challenge agent.

" The chance to connect with people across multiple locations who might have recently navigated a situation and can offer suggestions or solutions has been priceless so far, and I look forward to continuing to make use of that network," shares Dr. Church on what he looks forward to as a member of the IDCRC's Mentorship Program.

READ DR. CHURCH'S PROFILE HERE

MCDC Mentoring Lecture Series

The IDCRC Mentoring Lecture Series brings the IDCRC mentees together with leading experts to discuss topics related to the VTEUs, vaccinology, and clinical trials development and management. Check out our recent lecture below!

Networking and the Elevator Pitch

Presenter:
Hannah Nicol, director of training,
Emory University School of Medicine

VIEW FULL ARCHIVE

In Case You Missed It: Annual Meeting MCDC Highlight

In case you missed it! Check out IDCRC's Mentoring and Career Development Committee (MCDC) Highlight video that was shared at the 2025 Annual Meeting.

Hear from leaders as they share their thoughts on how the MCDC program has evolved since its inception. As well as both current and former mentees, on their experience in the program, and how it's enhanced their career in ID research.

News

NPR in Kansas City: "At ‘Hotel Influenza' in Missouri, guests get paid to get sick" interview with Dr. Daniel Hoft

Reservations are once again open at St. Louis University's "Hotel Influenza," where amenities include furnished rooms, daily nasal swabs, and a special HVAC system that keeps the viruses infecting each guest from escaping beyond the sealed facility.

This unusual arrangement is the university's Extended Stay Research Unit. Converted from a former hotel, the facility's 24 rooms are reserved for test subjects willing to be infected with the flu for 10 days in exchange for about $3,500.

"We want to know that the people we're studying are only getting the flu that we give them, and not something else," Hoft continued. "So, 48 hours after we bring them into the unit, we are testing them every day. If they remain healthy and we don't see any evidence of an already incubating infection, then we go ahead and challenge them."

Dr. Daniel Hoft, left, demonstrates how to listen to the heartbeat of a patient with Eric Eggemeyer, coordinator of clinical research at SLU's Center for Vaccine Development, in 2019.

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW HERE

Valeria D. Cantos, MD, FIDSA, named Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Fellow

Congratulations to Valeria D. Cantos, MD, FIDSA, (Emory University), IDCRC Expert Working Group - Sexually Transmitted Infections co-chair, who was recently named a fellow of the IDSA.

This class of fellows includes distinguished clinicians and scientists from across the U.S. and around the world, whose contributions continue to move the field of ID forward. Fellowship in IDSA (FIDSA) is one of the highest honors in infectious diseases.

Fellowship recognizes individuals whose careers reflect deep curiosity, scientific excellence, and a commitment to compassionate care and health equity. Fellows are self-nominated and approved by the IDSA Board of Directors for their sustained impact on research, education, public health, and clinical care.

Job Postings

Newly Posted! Infectious Diseases Research Job Openings

Visit the IDSA Career Center to browse other ID/HIV Medicine job postings.

Funding Opportunities

Development of Animal Models and Related Biological Materials for Research (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) –Due October 16, 2025
This notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) encourages innovative research to develop, improve, characterize, and preserve animal models as well as animal model related biological materials, technologies, and new approach methodologies (NAMs) for studies relevant to human health and disease. This NOFO also seeks projects aimed at improving the diagnosis and control of diseases that could confound or interfere with animal use in biomedical research.

Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Complement in Fundamental Immunology – Due January 7, 2026
The main objective of this program is to support studies that accelerate our understanding of the roles of complement components and/or receptors in the initiation, magnitude, maintenance, and quality of immune responses involved in pathogenic infections, vaccination, post-infection sequelae, autoimmunity, allergy, or transplantation. The results of such studies will inform the development of vaccines or therapeutics that target complement components.

Advancing Research Needed to Develop a Coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever) Vaccine –Due January 15, 2026
The purpose of this Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) is to highlight NIAID’s interest in supporting research in the areas outlined in the NIAID Strategic Plan For Research To Develop A Valley Fever Vaccine. The proposed research should have clear relevance to the strategic priorities defined in the strategic plan, which encompasses three major research areas: 1) address gaps in Coccidioides basic research to support the development of a vaccine; 2) develop tools and resources to support vaccine development; 3) develop and advance vaccines to prevent coccidioidomycosis.

Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Using Targeted Degradation of Protein and non-Protein Targets for the Development of Novel Anti-Infectives – Due July 17, 2026
The purpose of this Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) is to invite applications for research on the use of targeted protein and nonprotein degradation (e.g., RNA) as it relates to the development of anti-infective strategies against viral, bacterial, parasitic, and fungal pathogens and/or their toxins (e.g., Lethal and Edema Toxins of Bacillus anthracis). Both novel monofunctional (e.g., Molecular Glues) and hetero-bi/tri-functional (e.g., PROTAC or PROTAC-like) strategies will be considered.

Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Research to Stimulate Development of Diagnostics, Therapeutics, and Vaccines for Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) – Due April 6, 2027
This notice of special interest (NOSI) encourages applications which are focused on development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines for herpes simplex virus (HSV). In September 2023, the NIH released the NIH Strategic Plan for HSV Research. The strategic plan focuses on four strategic priorities: HSV virology basic research, better HSV diagnostics, strategies to address HSV treatment and cure, and research to prevent HSV infection. This NOSI focuses on furthering the development of new products for prevention of HSV infection, as well as improving the diagnosis and treatment of patients living with herpes, addressing three of these four strategic priorities.

Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Systems Modeling of Infection and Immunity Across Biological Scales – Due September 8, 2027
The purpose of this Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) is to announce that the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is encouraging applications to advance research activities relevant to systems modeling of infection and immunity. Recipients will collaborate with the Center of Excellence (CoE) for Systems Modeling of Infection and Immunity across Biological Scales (U54 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) described in RFA-AI-23-077. The CoE will coordinate the program, working with NIAID, and set up collaborations with recipients to participate in CoE activities.

Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Advancing Research Needed to Develop a Universal Influenza Vaccine – Due November 17, 2027
The objective of this Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) is to support research that contributes to the areas of interest outlined in NIAID’s Strategic Plan for the Development of a Universal Influenza Vaccine. The proposed research should have clear relevance to the research objectives defined in the strategic plan, which encompasses three major research areas: Improve understanding of transmission, natural history and pathogenesis of influenza virus infection; characterize influenza immunity and correlates of immune protection; and support rational design of universal influenza vaccines.

IDCRC Studies

Active Studies
Recruiting Volunteers

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase 1 Trial to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, Immunogenicity, and Efficacy of Sanaria(R) PfSPZ-LARC2 Vaccine, a Late-Arresting, Replication-Competent, Genetically Attenuated Plasmodium Falciparum Vaccine by Controlled Human Malaria Infection in Malaria-Naïve Healthy Adults
Conditions (DMID 23-0010)
Efficacy Study of IM Administered CssBA+dmLT Against Moderate-severe Diarrhea in Human Infection Model With ETEC Strain B7A in Healthy Adults (DMID 23-0006)
A Phase 1 Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Immunogenicity of an Inactivated West Nile Virus Vaccine, HydroVax-001B WNV in Healthy Adults (DMID 24-0008)
A Phase 4 Study of a 3-Day vs. 7-Day Regimen of Doxycycline for the Treatment of Chlamydial Infection (DMID 22-0019)

Fully Enrolled Studies
in Follow-up

Trial to Evaluate the Immunogenicity of Dose Reduction Strategies of the MVA-BN Monkeypox Vaccine (DMID 22-0020A)
A Phase 1, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study to Assess the Safety and Pharmacokinetics of a Single Ascending Dose of EV-D68-228 in Healthy Adult Volunteers (DMID 23-0005)
A Prospective, Randomized, Open-label Phase 4 Study of the Immunology and Safety of Maternal RSV Vaccination (ABRYSVOTM), Infant Nirsevimab (BEYFORTUSTM) Immunization, or Both Products During the First Year of Life (PROMISE) (DMID 24-0003)

IDCRC ACTIVE AND COMPLETED STUDIES