The iDPCC is thrilled to spotlight several CEIRR researchers who earned a poster presentation award at the 4th Annual CEIRR Network Meeting (ANM). Our first spotlight of this series is Ahmed Elsayed, Ph.D., Staff Scientist II in Luis Martinez-Sobrido’s lab at Texas Biomedical Research Institute, which is affiliated with the Center for Research on Influenza Pathogenesis and Transmission (CRIPT). Elsayed earned First Place in the Virology category for his poster titled “A Live Attenuated Vaccine Candidate Against Emerging Highly Pathogenic Cattle-Origin 2.3.4.4b H5N1 Viruses.”
Elsayed described the development of a live attenuated vaccine candidate from a modified version of a low-pathogenic influenza virus from the H5N1 dairy cattle outbreak isolated from a human. He and his colleagues validated its safety and illustrated its protective benefits in mice with a single dose. Elsayed plans to continue testing the vaccine’s safety and protection in other animals, hoping to eventually make it to human clinical trials. His motivation and drive stem from a desire to understand the molecular pathogenesis of influenza viruses and to “[use] that knowledge to drive solutions - from universal vaccines to targeted antivirals - that can save both human and animal lives.”
The CEIRR Program’s “invaluable network of experts and infrastructure has accelerated the translational potential of my research,” says Elsayed. The collaborative nature of the program encourages “sharing of viral isolates, reagents, and data that would otherwise take months to obtain.” In addition to speed, the CEIRR Network’s expertise lends itself to superior training and safety considerations for infectious disease research. Elsayed earned certifications in BSL2, ABSL2, BSL3, ABSL3, and is undergoing BSL4 training at Texas Biomedical Research Institute because of his work through CEIRR. He notes that “maintaining scientific rigor while ensuring safety is non-negotiable in this field,” and that CEIRR investigators helped instill this mentality when he enters the lab each day.
To learn more about Elsayed himself, the iDPCC asked several insightful questions:
1. Who/what inspired you to go into science in general?
A. My inspiration to pursue science came from a deep curiosity about how things work, which I’ve had since childhood. While I initially dreamed of becoming an engineer, my father’s encouragement toward medicine steered me toward pharmacy, which felt like a perfect blend of natural and medical sciences. This curiosity grew as I learned about infectious diseases and the microscopic battles happening inside our bodies. The challenge of solving complex biological puzzles and the potential to improve human and animal health through research ultimately inspired me to commit to a science career.
2. Do you have advice for other trainees or students wanting to get started in research?
A. Stay curious, adaptable, and collaborative. Infectious disease research requires an interdisciplinary mindset — bridging virology, immunology, bioinformatics, and public health. Be open to working in high-containment labs, and don’t shy away from challenges. Most importantly, pursue research questions that have real-world impact. Your work could be the difference in preventing the next pandemic.
3. What is your favorite mundane lab chore?
A. I prefer doing virus titration and dilution back-to-back. While it may seem mundane, I consider it one of the most critical steps in my workflow. Even slight variations in viral titers can significantly impact the outcome of my experiments and may lead to false-positive differences between viral strains. Performing these steps consecutively ensures consistency, accuracy, and reliability.
4. What technique, skill, or knowledge are you the “go to” person for in your lab?
A. I’m the “go-to” person for constructing reverse genetics systems for influenza viruses, rescuing both recombinant and reporter influenza viruses, and validating them in vitro and in vivo.
5. Do you have any hobbies or special interests that you'd like to share?
A. My main passion is working at the bench—I truly enjoy hands-on lab work and the process of generating meaningful results. Outside the lab, I’m an avid soccer fan; I enjoy both playing and watching the game. I also have a deep interest in history and spend time reading to explore how past events have shaped the world we live in today.