News & Events

Every few months, the news seems to have a story about some new strain of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. From Delta to Omicron and now beyond to Omicron’s numerous subvariants, SARS-CoV-2 has been changing ever since it first came to our attention in late 2019. But where do these viral strains and variants come from? When should they be concerning? How do viral changes influence ongoing vaccination efforts?

The students composed their essays in response to the writing prompt, “Preparedness is an important component of science as demonstrated by Maurice Hilleman when he identified the 1957 influenza pandemic. How is preparedness critical in science today?”

Dr. Maurice Hilleman is the most accomplished vaccinologist in history. In honor of Dr. Hilleman’s August birthday, we wanted to take a moment to remember him and assess the state of his legacy in 2023 with a focus on three aspects of vaccines: beating pathogens, developing vaccines, and communicating science.

What is the history of the FDA and why they were granted regulatory authority? What would happen if the agency’s independent authority were to be taken away?

Sometimes, scientists find themselves in the middle of ethical debates based on their research or its trajectory. This is especially true for those in the medical sciences and related fields.