Dr. Edwards' work focuses on the evaluation of new vaccines for the prevention of infectious disease in children and adults. Edwards has conducted large efficacy trials of live-attenuated influenza vaccines, coordinated multicenter trials of pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccines, and the nine-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in young children. She worked on the development of improved tuberculosis vaccines and is currently studying the impact of recently licensed vaccines on the burden of respiratory disease and health outcomes in children.

She has been active in the evaluation of vaccines against agents of bioterrorism through the NIH-funded Vaccine Treatment and Evaluation Unit. These include smallpox, anthrax, and avian influenza vaccines. She currently has CDC funding to evaluate adverse events associated with vaccines. Her laboratory efforts focuses on characterizing the immune responses to vaccines, using serology to measure the burden of pertussis disease in adolescents and adults, and evaluating the impact of vaccines on the burden of viral respiratory illness in a large CDC-funded multicenter surveillance network.

C. Buddy Creech, M.D., M.P.H., Associate Director
Dr. Creech's primary research interests are determining who is at highest risk for staphylococcal colonization and disease and developing novel strategies for prevention, such as a staphylococcal vaccine. Current projects include colonization studies in adolescents, pregnant women, newborns, and college athletes as well as staphylococcal vaccine trials in adults. In addition, he oversees the operational activities of the VVRP and leads trials in vaccines targeting malaria, influenza, and other pathogens of childhood.