The iDPCC is thrilled to spotlight several CEIRR researchers who earned a poster presentation award at the <a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/news/ceirr-annual-network-meeting-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">4th Annual CEIRR Network Meeting</a> (ANM). Our second spotlight of this series is Caroline Kikawa, M.D./Ph.D. student in the <a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/search?keyword=Jesse%20Bloom#searchBar" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bloom Lab</a> at the University of Washington, which is affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania CEIRR (<a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/centers/penn-ceirr" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Penn-CEIRR</a>) program. Kikawa earned First Place in the Viral Evolution category for her poster titled “High-Throughput Neutralization Measurements Correlate Strongly with Evolutionary Success of Human Influenza Strains.”&nbsp;<figure class="image image-style-align-right image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://ceirr-public-website-static-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/Kikawa_Loes_image_db24d8550f.jpg"><figcaption>Caroline Kikawa, M.D./Ph.D. student (left) and lab mate Andrea Loes Ph.D. (right), Bloom lab</figcaption></figure>Kikawa and her colleagues dove deeper into understanding the rapid evolution of human influenza virus. The team aimed to determine how influenza virus evolves in response to pressure from neutralizing antibodies using high-throughput neutralization measurements of human sera against many different viral strains. Mutations in influenza virus surface protein hemagglutinin rapidly arise and erode neutralization by antibodies from prior exposures. However, humans have diverse exposure histories and therefore diverse antibody repertoires, so a key remaining question is how population heterogeneity impacts influenza viral evolution. Their results suggest that high-throughput neutralization measurements of human sera against viral strains help explain the evolution of human influenza, where the strains with the greatest evolutionary success tend to be poorly neutralized by the largest fractions of the population. They also show that accurately characterizing population heterogeneity is vital for understanding human viral evolution.&nbsp;Kikawa told the iDPCC that her motivation as a researcher comes from wanting to “[improve] our ability to accurately select vaccine strains that represent circulating flu strains” because it has the “potential to keep a lot of people healthier.” Additionally, she credited the CEIRR Program for fostering multidisciplinary collaborations, allowing her to “connect with scientists across disciplines at other institutions” helping her “[form] new collaborations [and] contribute to existing collaborations.”&nbsp;To learn more about who Kikawa is, the iDPCC asked several questions to get to know her better:&nbsp;1. Who/what inspired you to go into science in general?A. My mentors! While an undergrad, as a post-grad research technician, and today as a graduate student.2. What is one thing on your bucket list?&nbsp;A. Become decent at go.3. Do you have advice for other trainees or students wanting to get started in research?&nbsp;A. Choose a department, program, and lab that encourages (and fosters!) collaboration

Spotlight

Penn-CEIRR

Influenza

Vaccine

Awards

Kikawa describes her award-winning work on understanding human influenza viral evolution and shares her interests in improving vaccine strain selection.

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Caroline Kikawa, Graduate Student and Viral Evolution Poster Winner, Focused on Understanding Human Influenza Viral Evolution

The iDPCC is thrilled to spotlight several CEIRR researchers who earned a poster presentation award at the <a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/news/ceirr-annual-network-meeting-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">4th Annual CEIRR Network Meeting</a> (ANM). Our first spotlight of this series is Ahmed Elsayed, Ph.D., Staff Scientist II in <a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/search?keyword=Luis%20Martinez-Sobrido" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Luis Martinez-Sobrido’s lab</a> at Texas Biomedical Research Institute, which is affiliated with the Center for Research on Influenza Pathogenesis and Transmission (<a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/centers/cript" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CRIPT</a>). 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.”<figure class="image image-style-align-right"><img src="https://ceirr-public-website-static-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/Ahmed_Elsayed_PPE_embed_60p_61d8b33bcb.png?updated_at=2025-06-26T16:36:10.754Z"><figcaption>Luis Martinez-Sobrido (left) and Ahmed Elsayed (right) discussing results of an assay on highly pathogenic cattle-origin influenza virus in personal protective equipment required for BSL3 labs.</figcaption></figure>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.&nbsp;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.&nbsp;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.&nbsp;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.

CRIPT

Elsayed describes his award-winning work on developing an influenza vaccine candidate and shares his interests in the multidisciplinary field of infectious diseases.

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Ahmed Elsayed, Staff Scientist and Virology Poster Winner, Drives Solutions to Influenza Infections

The 4th Annual CEIRR Network Meeting brought together CEIRR researchers from May 27th to May 30th, 2025, at The Georgia Center in Athens, GA. Hosted by the Center for Influenza Disease and Emergence Research (<a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/centers/cider" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CIDER</a>) at the University of Georgia, this year’s event convened CEIRR-funded investigators to exchange their latest scientific findings and foster new collaborations in the study of influenza and other emerging respiratory pathogens.<figure class="image image-style-align-right"><img src="https://ceirr-public-website-static-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/CEIRR_ANM_2025_C_Cs_NIAID_800x463_0e1d176b21.jpg?updated_at=2025-06-26T16:35:36.077Z"><figcaption>CEIRR Center Coordinators and NIAID leaders attending the 4th Annual CEIRR Network Meeting.</figcaption></figure>The meeting opened on Tuesday, May 27th, with welcoming remarks from CIDER principal investigators <a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/search?keyword=Mark%20Tompkins" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dr. Mark Tompkins</a> and <a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/search?keyword=Pejman%20Rohani" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dr. Pej Rohani</a>, followed by a virtual address from Dr. John Beigel, Acting Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (DMID). Over the course of the meeting, 45 speakers shared their research across seven dynamic sessions, which explored a broad spectrum of topics including immunity, transmission, breadth of protection, immunology, surveillance, viral evolution, virology, and H5/risk assessment.To encourage deeper exploration of specialized topics, several breakout sessions were held. These featured in-depth conversations on modeling tools and training resources; domestic and wild animal surveillance in viral risk assessment; phylodynamics and phenotypic characterization in viral risk assessment; data management; communications; and mechanistic modeling. CEIRR researchers presented more than 160 posters and delivered 40 flash talks across six topic areas. Attendees voted for the best poster in each category, with first-place honors awarded to:<ul><li>Immunity, Transmission, Breadth of Protection - (TIE) Sydney Gang (<a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/centers/penn-ceirr" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Penn-CEIRR</a>) &amp; Louis Taylor (<a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/centers/cript" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CRIPT</a>)</li><li>Immunology - Giovana Zanella (<a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/centers/penn-ceirr" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Penn-CEIRR</a>)</li><li>Surveillance - Celeste Snyder (<a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/centers/penn-ceirr" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Penn-CEIRR</a>)</li><li>Viral Evolution - (TIE) Caroline Kikawa (<a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/centers/penn-ceirr" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Penn-CEIRR</a>) &amp; Gagandeep Singh (<a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/centers/cript" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CRIPT</a>)</li><li>Virology - Ahmed Elsayed (<a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/centers/cript" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CRIPT</a>)</li><li>H5/Risk Assessment - Konstantin Andreev (<a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/centers/sjceirr" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SJCEIRR</a>)</li></ul>The 4th Annual CEIRR Network Meeting was a resounding success, strengthening connections and advancing knowledge among CEIRR investigators dedicated to combating influenza and emerging pathogens. With anticipation already building, the community looks forward to next year’s network meeting, which will be hosted by <a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/centers/emory-ceirr" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Emory-CEIRR</a>.

Meetings

SJCEIRR

CIDER

Emory-CEIRR

iDPCC

JH-CEIRR

Conferences

The fourth CEIRR Annual Network Meeting featured over 45 session speakers, 40 flash talks across six topics, and over 160 posters to strengthen connections among researchers and staff.

CEIRR Annual Network Meeting name badge and lanyard over outreach materials.

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CEIRR Annual Network Meeting 2025

<figure class="image image-style-align-right image_resized" style="width:40%;"><img src="https://ceirr-public-website-static-stag.s3.amazonaws.com/James_Ferguson_Headshot_4fe8578ccd.png"><figcaption>James Ferguson, Staff Scientist in Andrew Ward's Lab.</figcaption></figure>The CEIRR Network proudly spotlights James Ferguson, Staff Scientist in <a href="https://www.scripps.edu/faculty/ward/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dr. Andrew Ward’s Laboratory</a> at Scripps Research Institute, affiliated with The University of Pennsylvania CEIRR (<a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/centers/penn-ceirr" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Penn-CEIRR</a>). Ferguson was awarded “Outstanding Poster” in Poster Session A of the <a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/news/ceirr-annual-network-meeting-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CEIRR Annual Network Meeting 2024</a> for his poster titled “Structural Characterization of Ferret Antibody Responses to Influenza Infection and Vaccine-Induced Immunofocusing.”Ferguson stated that he is motivated to study this topic because “structural biology has captivated [him] from the moment [he] started studying biochemistry” and that “being able to visualize how an antibody is binding to its target just adds an extra level of intuition about what is going on with the immune system.” The ultimate goal of his research is to use ferrets – which he states are “crucial yet so underexplored at the structural level” – to better elucidate the antigenic evolution of seasonal influenza because of the similarity to humans in their clinical responses.In addition to giving insight into his research and award-winning poster, Ferguson also spoke to his appreciation of the collaborative nature of the CEIRR Network, stating that “the CEIRR Program is fantastic because it brings together a community of passionate scientists to collaborate, share resources, and exchange knowledge seamlessly.” He also credited the Program for bringing together researchers with different backgrounds and levels of training to develop innovative solutions to solve complex problems.The iDPCC also gained more insight into Ferguson himself through a series of thought-provoking questions:1. Who/what inspired you to go into science in general?A. My high school teachers inspired me to go into science. My biology teacher ran a farmstead, my physics teacher was previously an engineer, and my chemistry teacher had worked in industry. All of them in their own way made me see that science can move beyond the textbook and make a tangible impact in the real world that can help people.2. What is one thing on your bucket list?A. Watching the Northern lights in a hot spring in Iceland.3. What is your favorite lab technique?A. My favorite technique is building and implementing AI models for immune data analysis. It’s not just about crunching numbers; it’s about uncovering patterns that redefine our understanding of the immune system.4. What are your plans following your training?A. I am excited to dive into the world of structure-guided vaccine design. Whether that’s in an academic or industrial position, I think protein design has become such a fascinating and useful toolkit for biochemists, and I am curious to see what impact it will have in the world of vaccinology.5. Do you have advice for other trainees?A. Find mentors and colleagues who give fair and honest feedback, who will empower you, and who you enjoy working with.6. What is your favorite mundane lab chore?A. Topping up liquid nitrogen dewars. Will liquid nitrogen ever not be fun?7. Do you have any hobbies or special interests that you'd like to share?A. I love to garden, surf, and hike, and I volunteer at the climate activist group <a href="https://sandiego350.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SD350</a>.

Ferguson speaks about his award-winning poster on using structural biology to dissect the immune response to influenza infection or vaccination and shares insight into his other personal interests.

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