About Us
The Center for Vaccines and Immunology (CVI) at the University of Georgia was established in fall 2015. Housed in a facility that served as the UGA Veterinary Teaching Hospital from late 1979 until early 2015, the Center will eventually accommodate up to 10-12 research groups comprising 100 total faculty and staff. In addition to training future scientists, the Center’s researchers focus on expanding their understanding of the immunology of infectious diseases and how vaccines work in different populations based upon age, gender and ethnicity.
COVID-19 Research
Our center is working with a lot of companies testing COVID-19 vaccines as well as vaccines developed at UGA. We’re looking at antibody responses as well as enhancing the T-cell responses against the virus. Our goal is not only a stand-alone COVID vaccine but also one that could be combined with the universal flu vaccine candidates that are also in development.
Currently, the Center for Vaccines and Immunology has received funding from various private companies as well as the National Institutes of Health in order to continue COVID vaccine research and development.
Our Mission
The mission of the Center for Vaccines and Immunology is to improve human and animal health by bringing together vaccine researchers at the University of Georgia and helping them identify opportunities for collaboration, providing an intellectual environment for discovery, and, producing novel vaccine technologies. The CVI serves as a world-class center for basic and translational research by:
- Coalescing the existing vaccine-related expertise at UGA and synergizing with newly recruited faculty
- Developing regional, national, and international partnerships
- Strengthening ties to corporate partners and licensing vaccine technology
- Providing student education and training in the science of vaccines and thus helping to ensure a pipeline of future researchers for academic, public health, and industrial vaccine programs
