CRIPT focuses on a basic and clinic influenza research program to study the evolution, pathogenesis, and transmission of influenza viruses in humans, as well as at distinct zoonotic interfaces. CRIPT bridges basic and clinical research to develop tools and provide expertise that complements ongoing public health programs to rapidly respond to emerging human respiratory pathogens of pandemic potential, including influenza virus. The CRIPT research program will pursue basic research projects on virus and host determinates of virulence, host responses, antigenicity, tropism, and pathogenesis. CRIPT will combine inter-related human studies to understand the factors contributing not only to zoonotic emergence, but also to disease severity, transmission, and immune protection by previous infection and/or vaccination. The program will provide the ability to rapidly respond to pre-pandemic and pandemic events to mitigate the public health impact of such events, including the COVID-19 pandemic.