IDCRC Newsletter: January 2026

Welcoming 2026: Another Year of Research and Discovery

Happy New Year to our IDCRC network, VTEUs, and partners. We hope you had a restful and joyous holiday season.

We’re excited to build on the momentum of an remarkable 2025 into another outstanding year of innovation and groundbreaking research. Here's to a great 2026!

The IDCRC thanks John Beigel, MD

The IDCRC leadership team thanks John Beigel, MD, for his many years of dedicated service and contributions to our network.

Dr. Beigel has been a valued and trusted supporter of the IDCRC and our VTEU network since its launch in 2019. His engagement began as director of the Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (DMID) Office of Clinical Research Resources, and most recently served as acting director for DMID, providing steady leadership and guidance throughout his tenure.

Dr. Beigel has been a strong advocate for the network’s mission, especially the development of young investigators, offering consistent support that has helped advance the true scientific north and public health impact. Through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the difficult work of developing, designing, and conducting clinical trials, he has been an outstanding leader, mentor, and friend.

We extend our sincere thanks as we wish him continued success in all his future endeavors.

IDCRC Spotlight: PROMISE Study
Site Principal Investigator, Judith M. Martin, MD

This month's IDCRC investigator spotlight features Judith (Judy) M. Martin, MD, University of Pittsburgh site principal investigator for the PROMISE study.

This study is evaluating the effects of maternal vaccination and infant monoclonal antibody administration on RSV antibody levels in mothers and infants, providing essential insights into how these interventions function independently and in combination.

"The IDCRC’s strength lies in its ability to rapidly mobilize a network of experienced investigators and infrastructure to respond to emerging infectious disease threats. Its collaborative model ensures high-quality, timely research that informs clinical practice and public health policy. The collaborative relationships among institutions are a vital asset to the consortium. Now, more than ever, it is important that we work together to keep science moving forward."

READ DR. MARTIN'S SPOTLIGHT

Annual Meeting

Call for Nominations: 2026 Annual IDCRC Awards

Nominations are now open! The IDCRC presents annual awards to acknowledge the work of VTEU members who have made exceptional contributions to the IDCRC and VTEU missions. Nominations can be made by any IDCRC LG or VTEU member.

All nominations must be received by Friday, February 27, 2026. Awards will be presented at the reception during the 2026 IDCRC Annual Meeting.

Award Nomination Categories:

Investigator of the Year
Early Career Investigator
Staff STAR (Stellar Team Member Achieving Results) Award
Best Scientific Publication of the Year
Leadership Group Award

SUBMIT NOMINATIONS HERE

MORE INFO & LAST YEAR'S WINNERS

Call for Submissions: Annual Meeting Poster Session

The Annual Meeting poster session is an excellent opportunity to share research within the IDCRC network in an interactive setting. The meeting program is currently under development, and the specific date and time for poster discussion are still being determined.

Posters may be submitted by any IDCRC VTEU member or IDCRC mentee, covering any of the pathogen/diseases listed here. If you would like to submit a poster, please complete the online form at the button below by Friday, February 27, 2026.

SUBMIT POSTERS HERE

Mark Your Calendars: 2026 Annual Meeting

Save the date! The 2026 IDCRC Annual Meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 13, and Thursday, May 14, in Rockville, MD. We look forward to seeing everyone soon. Stay tuned for more details!

ANNUAL MEETING WEBPAGE

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 publications and updated quick stats below:

quick stats chart for publications as of 12/31/25

VIEW FULL PUBLICATIONS ARCHIVE

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 16: PBMC Proficiency and Immunology Quality Assurance (IQA) Process

VIEW ALL SECTIONS

News

Infectious Diseases Society of America | IDSA selects next CEO

The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has selected Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH, FIDSA, as its next chief executive officer, effective January 12, 2026.

Dr. Marrazzo is an internationally recognized infectious diseases physician, researcher, and public health leader who most recently served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health. Her appointment marks a pivotal moment for IDSA as the field continues to face rapidly evolving challenges, emerging pathogens, and increasing demands on the nation’s health system infrastructure.

Dr. Marazzo previously served as the IDCRC's Leadership Operations Center co-director and Leadership Group performance evaluation co-chair. We look forward to the outstanding leadership she will bring to the IDSA and infectious diseases research.

READ FULL PRESS RELEASE

IDSA | Clinician Call: Applying the IDSA Respiratory Virus Vaccination Guidelines for Immunocompromised Patients

The IDSA's Clinician Call, "Applying the IDSA Respiratory Virus Vaccination Guidelines for Immunocompromised Patients," features speakers, including Anoma Nellore, MD (NYU Langone), and Paul Goepfert, MD (University of Alabama at Birmingham).

Together, they discussed how to apply IDSA vaccine recommendations for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV for immunocompromised and pediatric patients.

LISTEN TO THE CALL HERE

Emory Children's Center - Vaccine Research Clinic receives scientific award from Emory School of Medicine

Group photo of Emory Children's Center - Vaccine Research Clinic at awards ceremony

Congratulations to the Emory Children's Center - Vaccine Research Clinic for being recognized by the Emory School of Medicine for their outstanding scientific achievements. This group received the Team Excellence Award in Research/Science.

This award recognizes a basic sciences, laboratory, or clinical research team whose impact is evidenced by achieved or anticipated scientific/health impact on internal or external stakeholders, the establishment of productive interdisciplinary partnerships, or the development and implementation of novel approaches to work tasks.

Photo from Emory SOM awards ceremony featuring leaders from the Emory Children's Center - Vaccine Research Clinic

Job Postings

Newly Posted! Infectious Diseases Research Job Openings

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

Funding Opportunities

2026 Deadline:

Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation: Ensuring Fairness in Clinical Assessment
Deadline: March 30, 2026 *NEW*

Expanding the Target Landscape by Drugging the Undruggable (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Deadline: May 15, 2026

Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Using Targeted Degradation of Protein and non-Protein Targets for the Development of Novel Anti-Infectives
Deadline: Friday, July 17, 2026

Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Promoting Research and Development of Vaccines Against Enteric Viruses
Deadline: Friday, July 17, 2026

Global Infectious Disease Research Training Program (D43 Clinical Trial Optional)
Deadline: Friday, August 7, 2026

2027 Deadline:

Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Research to Stimulate Development of Diagnostics, Therapeutics, and Vaccines for Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
Deadline: Wednesday, April 6, 2027

Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Systems Modeling of Infection and Immunity Across Biological Scales
Deadline: Wednesday, September 8, 2027

Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Advancing Research Needed to Develop a Universal Influenza Vaccine
Deadline: Sunday, November 17, 2027

Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Accelerating Malaria Vaccine and Monoclonal Antibody Discovery
Deadline: Sunday, November 17, 2027

Events

Save the Date: IDWeek 2026

Mark your calendars! This year's IDWeek will take place from October 21-24, in Washington, D.C. Stay tuned for more information!

IDWEEK WEBPAGE

IDCRC Studies

Fully Enrolled Studies in Follow-up

A Phase 4 Study of a 3-Day vs. 7-Day Regimen of Doxycycline for the Treatment of Chlamydial Infection (DMID 22-0019)
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 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)