IDCRC Newsletter: June 2026

Emory University and Cincinnati Children’s
open state-of-the-art research facilities

At Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, the Emory Center for Transmission of Airborne Pathogens, in collaboration with the Emory Hope Clinic, established a first-of-its-kind U.S. research unit dedicated to studying indoor human-to-human transmission of airborne diseases. Supported by a $10 million grant from Flu Lab, the custom-designed unit integrates clinical care and research, featuring a 10-bed human challenge unit, controlled exposure rooms, aerosol sampling clean rooms, and an on-site virology lab.

Meanwhile, Cincinnati Children's has opened the $42 million Winslow Research Pavilion, a 45,000-square-foot facility that serves as the new home of its Vaccine Research Center. The pavilion consolidates outpatient and overnight clinical trial operations, including a 16-bed adult study unit, and houses additional programs such as the Discover Together Biobank and Freezer Archive.

IDCRC Investigator Spotlight: Tara Reid, MD, PhD

This month's IDCRC spotlight features Tara Reid, MD, PhD, assistant professor in the University of Washington's Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy & Infectious Diseases. Read an excerpt below and click the button to read the interview.

Training

Mentee Spotlight: Anne-Marie Rick, MD, MPH, PhD

Dr. Rick is a member of the IDCRC's Mentorship Program cohort. This program provides mentoring and development opportunities for early-career investigators and fellows in clinical and translational infectious diseases research. 

I am especially looking forward to the opportunity to learn from mentors and peers across the IDCRC network who bring diverse expertise in infectious diseases, clinical trials, immunology, and translational research. Programs like this are incredibly valuable not only for career development, but also for broadening scientific perspective and building collaborations that can shape future research. I am excited for the chance to receive guidance as I continue to grow my research program and think strategically about the next phase of my career.

Leadership Development Opportunity: Rising Leaders Program

The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Rising Leaders program is designed to help early-career infectious diseases/HIV professionals build confidence, strengthen their leadership approach, and prepare for the next step in their careers. The program combines flexible online learning, accredited leadership education, small-group coaching, individualized assessment, and practical tools participants can apply directly to their work. 

Space is limited. Register by Friday, August 21, to save your spot.

News

U.S. News & World Report | "Best Global Universities for Clinical Medicine in the United States"

University of Maryland School of Medicine Faculty News | "Three CVD Researchers Receive Pivot Awards from UMB"

In light of changing federal funding priorities, the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) created a Pivot Strategic Investment Initiative, committing up to $33 million in research support to strengthen the institution’s resilience. After a rigorous review process, three research proposals from the University of Maryland School of Maryland Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health were selected for this competitive funding opportunity. The Center is receiving $2.2 million to pursue the three selected initiatives.

Congratulations to the following IDCRC members who will support this work.

• Kirsten Lyke, MD: Evolution of Dengue Virus in Response to Host Factors, Climate Drivers and Vector Kinetics 
• Justin Ortiz, MD, MS: Maryland Respiratory Pathogen Project: A New Platform for Respiratory Disease Research
• Marcela Pasetti, PhD: Unraveling Maternal Milk Bolstering of Infant Gut Health

IDSA |"IDSA Media Briefing: Hantavirus: What’s The Risk?"

Speakers include Carlos del Rio, MD, MACP, FIDSA (Emory University School of Medicine), and Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH, FIDSA (Chief Executive Officer, Infectious Diseases Society of America).

University of Rochester Medicine | "Travel Health Tips: How to Avoid Getting Sick" 

Hantavirus is a rare virus with only a small number of reported cases in the U.S. each year. Most infections occur after exposure to rodent droppings or urine, often from time spent in dusty cabins, sheds, or campsites, or in hiking, camping, or hunting areas with rodents. Human-to-human spread is extremely rare, Dr. Branche explains.

NFID |"NFID Announces Recipients of Prestigious 2026 Infectious Disease Awards" 

Kathleen M. Neuzil, MD, MPH, will receive the 2026 John P. Utz Leadership Award, which recognizes individuals who exemplify leadership through service to NFID and the field of infectious diseases. Dr. Neuzil is director of Polio at the Gates Foundation, where she leads efforts to eradicate polio and strengthen immunization and disease surveillance systems globally. With more than 25 years of experience in vaccine development, implementation, and policy, she has played a pivotal role in advancing global immunization programs and shaping public health policy.

Job Postings

Newly Posted! Infectious Diseases Research Job Openings

• Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration Fellowship - Improvement of Safety and Efficacy of Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza Vaccines 

• Mass General Brigham - Infection Preventionist 

• University Of Maryland Medical Center - Infection Preventionist 

• University of South Alabama Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine - Microbiology and Immunology Faculty 

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

Events

Infectious Disease Board Review Course

This course is designed to help physicians prepare for the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Infectious Disease certification and recertification exams. This comprehensive program includes web access to the entire archived course plus primers and study guides, online-only lectures, photo-based questions, and over 500 ABIM-style questions.

IDWeek 2026 registration is now open

Register today for IDWeek 2026! Whether you attend in person in Washington, D.C., or virtually, save your spot to celebrate the latest breakthroughs in ID alongside thousands of your colleagues.

Funding Opportunities

IDCRC Studies

Fully Enrolled Studies in Follow-up

• 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)

Communication Resources

Please submit IDCRC news to idcrc@emory.edu for inclusion in the monthly newsletter and IDCRC.org.