A vial of the NIAID Zika Virus Investigational DNA Vaccine, taken at the NIAID Vaccine Research Center’s Pilot Plant in Frederick, Maryland.
NIAID is conducting and supporting research to find new and improved ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent Zika virus infections. Through the information offered here, the scientific community can learn about NIAID funding opportunities, programs, and networks to further research and encourage collaboration. This section also provides information on resources provided by NIAID to advance product development.
Funding Opportunities
NIAID is always accepting researcher-initiated applications. Connect with NIAID program officers about potential or related funding for Zika virus research.
Program Officers
For contact information, search the NIH Enterprise Directory.
- Dr. Mark Challberg, Chief, Virology Branch
- Dr. Mindy Davis, Program Officer, Antiviral Research, Virology Branch
- Dr. Walla Dempsey, Program Officer, Clinical Research, Virology Branch
- Dr. Kaitlyn Morabito, Program Officer, Flaviviruses, Virology Branch
- Dr. Michael Schaefer, Chief, Translational Centers of Excellence and Research Coordination Section, Office of Biodefense Research Resources and Translational Research
- Dr. Sara Woodson, Team Lead, Centers for Research in Emerging Infectious Diseases (CREID) Network
Resources for Researchers
NIAID offers resources to advance science from basic research through advanced clinical evaluation, with the goal of developing new and improved products such as diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics. Resources to support basic research include the BEI Resources Repository, which provides organisms and reagents to the scientific community, while clinical research resources include the Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Units., which conduct Phase I, II, and IV clinical trials across the United States.
Available preclinical services programs include:
- In Vitro Assessment for Antimicrobial Activity
- Preclinical Models of Infectious Diseases
- Therapeutic Development Services (including biopharmaceutical and interventional agent development)
- Vaccine Development Services (including testing and manufacturing)
Programs & Networks
The NIAID-funded Centers of Excellence for Translational Research program is funding innovative research to develop novel therapeutics and vaccines against Zika virus.
NIAID also funds the Centers for Research in Emerging Infectious Diseases (CREID), a global network of multidisciplinary investigations into how and where viruses and other pathogens can emerge from wildlife and spillover to cause disease in people. Research is led by 10 Centers and one Coordinating Center and involves collaborations with peer institutions in the United States and 28 other countries.
Connect With Other Researchers
Researchers at NIAID
Much of the Zika research ongoing at NIAID takes place in these laboratories:
- Lesia Dropulic, M.D, Clinical Trials Program
- Heather Hickman, Ph.D., Viral Immunity and Pathogenesis Unit
- Ted C. Pierson, Ph.D., Viral Pathogenesis Section
- Collaborative Clinical Research Branch (CCRB) Laboratories
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