Newswise — The rise in the numbers of parents choosing not to vaccinate their children is creating outbreaks of vaccine-preventable infectious diseases across the country. Headline-making surges of measles cases and parents exposing their children to chickenpox on purpose are creating unwarranted health threats.
Professor Joanne Turner, Ph.D., the Vice President for Research at Texas Biomedical Research Institute, will serve as the new Executive Director of the Vaccine Development Center of San Antonio.
Texas Biomed partners with the University of Texas at San Antonio, Southwest Research Institute and UT Health San Antonio to promote collaboration among the participating research institutions in infectious disease research and vaccine development in order to facilitate new discoveries and eliminate duplication of resources.
“As an institution committed to combating infectious diseases, the development of new vaccines is crucial to Texas Biomed’s mission. I appreciate and endorse this collaborative consortium model these institutions have worked hard to maintain since the Center’s founding in 2012,” Turner commented.
The Vaccine Development Center’s mission is three-fold:
- Fund pilot projects
- Host an annual conference on infection, immunity and vaccines
- Promote the use of vaccines to enhance public health in San Antonio and the region
“Science is a team effort. This Center is built on the extraordinary power of people working together. Dr. Turner received the enthusiastic endorsement of representatives from each of the participating institutions,” said Ken Trevett, Founding Director of the Center.
Texas Biomed Professor Jean Patterson, Ph.D., is one of the Scientific Co-Directors of the Vaccine Development Center. Texas Biomed President/CEO Larry Schlesinger, M.D., also serves as part of the Center’s Administrative Leadership Team.
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