Research at CVD
CVD’s comprehensive research enterprise spans the full spectrum of vaccinology, from basic science research and pre-clinical studies to clinical trials, vaccine evaluation, and implementation research that informs public health policy. Our mission is to harness the power of vaccines to prevent disease, save lives, and improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations worldwide.
Through innovative research, surveillance, training, and vaccine development, CVD focuses on six key areas of global health impact: Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Emerging Pathogens and Pandemic Preparedness, Enteric Diseases, Influenza and Respiratory Diseases, Malaria and Vector-Borne Diseases, and Maternal-Child Health.
Building on decades of scientific innovation and a longstanding commitment to underserved communities, CVD continues to advance solutions to some of the world’s most pressing infectious disease challenges.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR CLINICAL TRIALS
Major Research Areas
Antimicrobial Resistance:
Bacteria are constantly evolving and becoming increasingly resistant to available treatments. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) makes common infections harder to treat and poses a growing threat to global health. CVD researchers are pursuing innovative approaches beyond antibiotics, including next-generation vaccines and novel prevention strategies, to combat the rise of AMR. Learn more about our AMR program.
Emerging Pathogens and Pandemic Preparedness:
Emergent infectious diseases range from newly identified pathogens to familiar threats that reemerge in more virulent forms. Drawing on decades of expertise in vaccinology and infectious diseases, CVD develops innovative tools and strategies to detect, prevent, and respond to emerging global health threats. Learn more about our program.
Enteric Diseases:
Enteric diseases affect millions of people worldwide and remain a leading cause of illness and death, particularly among young children in low- and middle-income countries. CVD addresses this burden through vaccine development, controlled human challenge studies, disease surveillance, and innovative public health interventions. Learn more about our enteric disease program.
Influenza and Respiratory Diseases:
Respiratory viruses continue to cause significant illness and hospitalization worldwide. CVD is a global leader in respiratory disease research, advancing controlled human infection models, vaccine development, and innovative approaches to preventing and treating respiratory infections. Learn more about our program.
Malaria and Vector-Borne Diseases:
Often called the world’s deadliest animal, the mosquito spreads diseases such as malaria and dengue that affect millions each year. For decades, CVD’s malaria research program has contributed to global efforts to prevent, treat, and ultimately eliminate malaria through innovative tools for surveillance, diagnosis, and vaccine development. Building on this expertise, CVD is also addressing other mosquito- and vector-borne diseases of global significance. Learn more about our research in this area.
Maternal and Child Health:
Since its founding, improving the health of mothers and children has central to CVD’s mission. Our physician-scientists are dedicated to advancing maternal and child health through research, vaccination programs, and public health initiatives that reduce preventable illness and death in both local communities and underserved populations around the world. Learn more about our maternal child health program.
Vaccine Development:
CVD plays a critical role throughout the vaccine development continuum, from basic laboratory studies of pathogens and immune responses to preclinical evaluation, early-phase clinical testing, large-scale efficacy trials, and post-licensure research. Our expertise helps translate scientific discoveries into vaccines that improve and save lives globally. Learn more about our research in this area.
Clinical Trials:
Our multidisciplinary team brings extensive experience in clinical research, regulatory affairs, and study operations. CVD conducts clinical trials across all phases of development in diverse populations and is internationally recognized for its leadership in controlled human infection studies. Explore Our Clinical Trials.
Our Comprehensive Clinical Trials Core, C3@CVD, empowers UMSOM investigators to conduct high-quality clinical research through integrated clinical trial management, regulatory oversight, and operational excellence. Learn more about our services.