Global Programs Lecture Series

Tropical Medicine and the Vaccine Sciences: Translational Synergies integrated with Global Social, Economic and Policy Perspectives

• Speaker: Maria Elena Bottazzi, Ph.D.
• Date: Jan. 13, 2026
• Time: 10 - 11 a.m. CST
• Virtual event: Link will be provided upon registration

Vaccine science depends on the development of a robust 'translational research & development case'. This is driven by complex scientific, technical, regulatory, financial and operational elements that help determine the feasibility and probability of traversing the "valleys of death" leading towards licensure.

The goal of this lecture is to summarize the lessons learned from two decades of work at Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development in taking vaccines against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and emerging infectious diseases from concept to delivery. A perspective will be given for the case that these vaccines can have measurable public health and economic profitability and market success. Understanding these processes and its challenges would open the opportunity to accelerate and advance essential NTD vaccines through the last mile and access afflicted populations in low- and middle-income countries.

Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi is a distinguished scientist and global leader in vaccinology and neglected tropical diseases. She is professor of pediatrics and molecular virology and microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine, where she serves as senior associate dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine, division chief of pediatric tropical medicine, and co-director of the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development. Dr. Bottazzi has advanced global health for more than two decades through the development of vaccines for diseases disproportionately affecting underserved populations. She is widely recognized for co-developing the open-science COVID-19 vaccine technology that enabled Corbevax and IndoVac, with more than 100 million doses delivered globally.

Her leadership and advocacy for equitable vaccine access have earned her major distinctions, including election to the National Academy of Medicine and recognition as one of Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful Women in Central America. She is also a Leshner Public Engagement Fellow and an alumna of the Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine program. Dr. Bottazzi received her bachelor's degree from the National Autonomous University of Honduras and her doctorate in Molecular Immunology and Experimental Pathology from the University of Florida, followed by postdoctoral training at the University of Miami and the University of Pennsylvania.