Coffee with the Expert

Dr. Enrique Chacon-Cruz: Welcome everybody, and happy to start with these globally crucial and relevant topics. Climate change is reshaping disease ecology in livestock and agricultural...

As moderators of several discussions at the World Vaccine Congress, taking place from March 30 to April 2 in Washington, D.C., Vaccines Beat had the opportunity to speak with leading experts ahead of the event on the topic: “Vaccine Public–Private Partnerships for Pandemic Readiness & Biosecurity.”

Prof. Nicaise Ndembi is the Deputy Director General of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) and Regional Director for Africa. A virologist whose early research helped shape global HIV drug resistance policy, Prof. Ndembi has been at the forefront of Africa’s pandemic preparedness and response architecture, from the evolution of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to the continent’s ambitious push for vaccine manufacturing and research & development sovereignty. 

Dr. Gabriela Paz-Bailey is Chief of the Dengue Branch at the Division of Vector-Borne Diseases of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), San Juan, Puerto Rico. In this role, she oversees research, surveillance, and evaluation of interventions aimed at reducing the burden of arboviral diseases. Her work focuses on translating scientific evidence into public health action, with an emphasis on interventions that can be implemented at scale and sustained over time.

Professor Helen McShane FRCP PhD FMedSci is a leading British infectious disease physician and one of the world’s most influential figures in tuberculosis (TB) vaccine development. A Professor of Vaccinology at the University of Oxford and Director of the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, she has dedicated more than two decades to advancing vaccines for some of the world’s most challenging infectious diseases.

Dr. Robert Cohen is a distinguished Professor of Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases specialist at the Intercommunal Hospital of Créteil, France. A graduate of...

Authors: Enrique Chacon-Cruz, M.D., MSc Felicitas Colombo, MPA Dr. Mariagrazia Pizza is Professor of Microbiology and Co-Director of the Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology (CBRB) at Imperial...

Authors: Enrique Chacon-Cruz, M.D., MSc Felicitas Colombo, MPA Dr. Rajeev Venkayya is a recognized global health leader with deep expertise in vaccines, pandemic preparedness, and biopharmaceutical innovation....

Authors: Enrique Chacon-Cruz, M.D., MSc Felicitas Colombo, MPA Prof. Alejandro Cravioto is a distinguished physician, researcher, and global health leader with decades of experience in medical education,...

Prof. Carol J. Baker is a renowned clinician, researcher, educator, and vaccinologist, internationally recognized for her pioneering contributions to pediatric infectious diseases and vaccine...