Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health

CVD Spotlight: Christina Manoto, MBA

Christina Manoto is a Senior Financial & Budget Analyst and valued member of the University of Maryland School of Medicine Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health.

Chris has been a strong champion for several key initiatives within the CVD Administrative Team, including streamlining procurement card processes, trial participant payment processing, and travel and purchasing workflows. Her efforts have improved efficiency and strengthened operational consistency across these areas.

Chris consistently goes above and beyond expectations in her work. Most recently, she has taken the initiative to develop and implement an enhanced expense authorization form, an effort that will strengthen transparency and accountability across CVD.

Drawing on her extensive experience within the university, Chris brings a deep understanding of institutional policies and procedures. She consistently applies this knowledge to ensure compliance while supporting the team in navigating complex administrative requirements with confidence.

Chris is a great friend and collaborative team player who is always willing to educate, guide, and assist her colleagues, contributing to a supportive and well-informed work environment.

Thank you, Chris, for your dedication, initiative, and the meaningful impact you continue to make across the Center.

Stayin' alive with science!
Join a study using wearable devices to detect malaria symptoms.
Looking for interested adults 18-50 years old.
Compensation may be up to $2715 for qualified volunteers.
Learn more: www.CVDTrials.org/InfectionDetection

News from University of Maryland School of Medicine’s CVD!

University of Maryland, Baltimore launched a strategic investment initiative, committing up to $33 million to support innovative research and strengthen the university's scientific enterprise.

Through a highly competitive review process, three CVD-led initiatives were selected, securing $2.2 million in funding to tackle urgent global and local public health challenges:
•“Evolution of Dengue Virus in Response to Host Factors, Climate Drivers and Vector Kinetics,” led by Kirsten Lyke, MD, Professor of Medicine
•“Maryland Respiratory Pathogen Project: A New Platform for Respiratory Disease Research,” led by Justin Ortiz, MD, MS, Professor of Medicine
•“Unraveling Maternal Milk Bolstering of Infant Gut Health (UMBIGH),” led by Marcela Pasetti, PhD, Professor of Pediatrics

These projects exemplify the power of cross-disciplinary
collaboration and innovation—addressing infectious diseases both in Maryland and around the world.

Read more: https://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/faculty/gettoknow/archive/2026-faculty-news/three-cvd-researchers-receive-pivot-awards-from-umb.html

2026 Faculty News In light of changing Federal funding priorities, the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) created a Pivot Strategic Investment Initiative, committing up to $33 million in research support to strengthen the institution’s resilience. The funds will be distributed across the university. With the m...

CVD Spotlight: Jose Lemme, PhD

Dr. Jose Lemme is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and a valued member of the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Center for Vaccine Development & Global Health.

He has pioneered the development of human immune organoid models, which are innovative tissue culture models that are transforming our understanding of mucosal immunity and human health. Dr. Lemme’s research focuses on two key areas:

• Mucosal immune development and responses to infectious and commensal microorganisms
•Host-pathogen interaction in the gut and immunity to diarrheal pathogens

His work is helping to inform public health interventions and advance the fields of tissue engineering, immunology, infectious diseases, and vaccinology.

Recently, Dr. Lemme was awarded an R21 grant from to study Bordetella pertussis infection and immunity in human nasal organoids.

He is known among mentors, mentees, and collaborators for the rigor, innovation, and excellence of his research. Dr. Lemme also stands out for his commitment and collaborative approach.

Thank you, Dr. Lemme, for your outstanding contributions to CVD!

Exciting new research from CVD!

New research published today in highlights encouraging results from a clinical trial evaluating a dual-target vaccine for Lassa fever and rabies called LASSARAB.

“This vaccine is designed to protect against two viruses of global health importance,” said study principal investigator Justin Ortiz, MD, MS, Professor of Medicine. “By combining targets into a single product, it could reduce the need for separate vaccination efforts and streamline delivery in settings where access is limited.”

This first-in-human study of the LASSARAB vaccine found it to be safe and capable of generating antibody responses against both viruses.

LASSARAB was developed by a research team led by Mathias Schnell, Director of the Jefferson Center for Vaccines and Pandemic Preparedness.

Congratulations to the entire team on this important milestone!
Read more: https://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/cvd/news-and-events/cvd-news/first-in-human-clinical-trial-shows-promising-results-for-new-lassa-fever-vaccine.html

University of Maryland School of Medicine

CVD News Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD) reported encouraging results from an early clinical trial that tested a new dual vaccine against Lassa fever and rabies. The study, published today in the journal Nature Medicine,...

Congratulations to Alexander Laurenson, MD/PhD Student, on receiving an F30 Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award from NIAID!

His funded project, “In Silico Prediction of Plasmodium falciparum Epitopes as Vaccine Candidates,” builds on his recent publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41775037/

Alex is mentored by CVD faculty member Matt Laurens, MD, MPH, Professor of Pediatrics.

We’re excited to see the impact of this work. Congratulations, Alex and we look forward to your continued success!

CVD Faculty Honored at Annual Awards Ceremony!

We’re proud to celebrate two CVD faculty members recognized at the Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Consortium (IDCRC) Annual Awards Ceremony!

A.D. Hammershaimb, MD, MS received the Early Career Investigator Award, recognizing outstanding research contributions by a recent graduate or current participant in the IDCRC Mentoring Program that advance the VTEU and IDCRC missions.

Wilbur H. Chen, MD, MS was awarded Best Scientific Publication of the Year for a high-impact IDCRC-cited Lancet publication that has significantly influenced the scientific community and contributed to policy change.

Read the winning publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40086461/

Congratulations to Drs. Hammershaimb and Chen on these well-deserved honors!

Stayin' alive with science!

Join a study using wearable devices to detect malaria symptoms.

Looking for interested adults 18-50 years old.

Compensation may be up to $2715 for qualified volunteers.

Learn more: www.CVDTrials.org/InfectionDetection

Last week, Stefan Kappe, PhD (CVD Director), Kirsten Lyke, MD (Professor of Medicine), and Devin Fisher, PhD (Marketing Lead), represented the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health at a event on Capitol Hill.

Hosted by Malaria No More and United to Beat Malaria, in partnership with the Malaria Roundtable, the event brought together leading researchers and innovators from across the U.S. committed to eliminating malaria worldwide.

CVD was proud to showcase its research, expertise, and continued leadership in the fight against this devastating disease.

Learn more: https://www.malarianomore.org/story/american-led-innovation-is-taking-on-malaria

If you owned cassette tapes, you may be eligible to take part in a Next Gen COVID Vaccine Study.

We’re looking for healthy adults aged 18-64 to participate in our study.

Compensation may be up to $1,300 for qualified volunteers.

Learn more: www.cvdtrials.org/NextGen