Kathleen Neuzil

Dr. Kathleen Neuzil is a renowned vaccinologist and global health leader. As the Myron M. Levine Endowed Professor of Vaccinology, she previously directed the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD) for nearly a decade. Effective May 2024, she will become the first woman Director of the NIH’s Fogarty International Center and NIH Associate Director for International Research. Her career spans decades of research in vaccines and infectious diseases, including leadership roles in policy advising for the CDC and WHO.

Education:

• Bachelor’s in Zoology (University of Maryland, College Park)
• M.D. (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)
• Residency and Infectious Diseases Fellowship (Vanderbilt University School of Medicine)
• Master’s in Public Health (Vanderbilt)

Research Interests: Dr. Neuzil focuses on vaccine development for global health challenges like typhoid, influenza, malaria, and emerging pathogens. Her work emphasizes equitable vaccine access, maternal immunization, and pandemic preparedness. She has authored over 330 publications and led large-scale initiatives such as the Gates-funded TyVAC consortium.

Awards & Recognition:

• 2022 Marylander of the Year for pandemic leadership
• 2019 Elected to National Academy of Medicine
• 2016 Vanderbilt Distinguished Alumna Award
• 2014 Listed in ‘50 Most Influential Persons in Vaccines’

Grants & Labs: Managed a $200M NIH-funded influenza program and leads Gates-funded TyVAC. Oversees CVD’s global vaccine development pipeline, including trials in 36 countries. Collaborates with institutions worldwide to address antimicrobial resistance and vaccine equity.

Labs/Teams: CVD’s multidisciplinary team spans basic science to field deployment, with expertise in clinical trials, epidemiology, and policy. Her leadership shaped global vaccine policies during the pandemic, including WHO and CDC advisory roles.