Learn about the 2023 CCIV Symposium

The Annual Center for Childhood Infections and Vaccines Symposium held on December 4, 2023 at HSRB-II, was a resounding success, attended by over 80 faculty, trainees, staff, and students.

The symposium featured a lineup of renowned speakers, including two keynote speakers: Dr. Theresa Alenghat, a faculty microbiologist from Cincinnati Children's Hospital, presented on the regulation of the host-microbiota relationship, and Dr. Paul G. Thomas, a scientist from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, impressed the audience with his work on predicting influenza protection and pathology from baseline immune profiles. The symposium also showcased the work of two esteemed Emory University faculty members: Dr. Cynthia Whitney, who presented on the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) study, and Dr. Natalie Dean, who talked about her work with the Emory Alliance for Vaccine Epidemiology (EAVE). The speakers were chosen to encourage collaboration between CCIV and CHAMPS/EAVE investigators. Attendees were also treated to three oral abstract presentations. Dr. Devyani Joshi, a postdoctoral fellow in the Wrammert Lab, presented her research on antibody responses after SARS- CoV-2 infections in infants and young children. Dr. Mark Griffiths, an associate professor of pediatrics and emergency medicine, gave a talk on the impact of implementing opt-out HIV screening in the pediatric emergency department. Lastly, Dr. David Prikryl, a postdoctoral fellow in the Melikian Lab, presented on how cyclosporine influences viral entry into cells. The day concluded with a poster session featuring 24 studies conducted by CCIV faculty, trainees, staff, and students. Overall, the symposium was a great success, allowing attendees to learn about the latest research in childhood infections and vaccines. This year’s CCIV Symposium Planning Committee were Drs. Ann Chahroudi, Jens Wrammert, Cassie Grimsley Ackerley, and Clovis Sarmiento.