March 2024
How long have you been doing research?
Rostad: About 20 years!
Kamidani: My first research involvement began during my intern year in internal medicine in 2008, when I described the clinical characteristics and antibiotic use in sepsis among older patients at a community hospital. I found the process rewarding, as it allowed me to uncover insights that weren't immediately apparent when treating individual patients. My early research endeavors were primarily driven by observations made at the bedside in hospitals. Since joining Emory in 2018, my research has more focused on the epidemiology of vaccine-preventable diseases, vaccine safety, and vaccine clinical trials.
What inspired you to get into research? What inspired you to do this particular research?
Rostad: I began doing research as an undergraduate student at Georgia Tech in the laboratory of Dr. Mark Prausnitz through the Petit Undergraduate Research Scholars Program. I am so grateful for this early experience, which inspired my future pursuits in biomedical research. I would highly encourage students to pursue these types of opportunities, which can provide foundational knowledge and skills for future scientific careers.
Kamidani: My research interest in immunizations stemmed from my experience as a pediatrician in Japan, where a "vaccine gap" existed compared to other developed countries. As a pediatric resident, I encountered a young infant with Hib meningitis, a disease nearly eradicated in developed countries thanks to Hib vaccines. Witnessing preventable tragedies, such as cases of congenital rubella syndrome (resulting in cataracts, hearing loss, and developmental delay in babies) during outbreaks of rubella, deeply affected me. Despite the challenges, I also witnessed the strong impact of the Hib vaccine following its introduction in Japan (literally disappeared!). This realization sparked my eagerness to dive deeper into the research field of vaccinations. As I immersed myself in this area, I recognized the need for research to address vaccine safety, enhance vaccine confidence, and understand the epidemiology of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Tell me about your research
Rostad: My current research interests focus on understanding the burden of infectious diseases among children and adults and developing safe and effective vaccines to prevent them. I am the Director of the Emory Children’s Center-Vaccine Research Clinic (ECC-VRC), where I work with a wonderful multi-disciplinary team to perform vaccine clinical trials and epidemiology studies, both at Emory and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta sites. Our clinic is part of the Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Consortium (IDCRC) and Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Units (VTEUs), which are coordinated national and global networks of scientific experts working to develop and evaluate vaccines and other therapies to combat infectious diseases. We have participated in multiple significant federal and industry-sponsored vaccine clinical trials, including Moderna mRNA-1273 phase 3 trial in adults (COVE) and children (KidCOVE), the DMID 21-0012 Mix-and-match study evaluating COVID-19 booster vaccines, the Pfizer maternal RSV vaccine study (MATISSE), and the DMID 22-0020 DoSES study of mPox vaccination for adolescents.
Kamidani: My research encompasses all clinical facets of the vaccine life cycle, including pre-licensure Phase 1-3 vaccine trials, post-licensure evaluation of vaccine safety and effectiveness, and epidemiological surveillance for vaccine-preventable diseases. At the Emory Children’s Center Vaccine Research Clinic (ECC-VRC), I work with exceptional colleagues and teams to conduct both NIH and industry-sponsored clinical vaccine trials. These trials assess the safety and immunogenicity of vaccines targeting COVID-19, RSV, Chikungunya, and CMV. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have evaluated the real-world effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in children and adolescents through the CDC Overcoming COVID-19 Project. Additionally, I serve as a site PI for the CDC’s Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment (CISA), conducting randomized controlled trials to address critical vaccine safety research needs and providing consultations for healthcare providers on complex vaccine safety inquiries. I am also involved in the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)’s global immunization project, collaborating with colleagues in Japan and the Philippines. Together, we have developed evidence-based simulation trainings for pediatricians aimed at addressing vaccine hesitancy.
What are your goals for this research?
Rostad: The fundamental goal of my research is to develop safe and effective vaccines that prevent infectious diseases and protect child health.
Kamidani: My overarching goal is to provide safe and effective vaccines for everyone. Additionally, as articulated by Dr. Walter Orenstein, vaccines in vials have zero effectiveness until they are actually administered. To foster public confidence in immunizations, I would like to persist in conducting vaccine safety studies and researching strategies to address vaccine hesitancy.
What’s the research process like?
Rostad: Clinical research is exciting and highly collaborative. It provides opportunity to work with a diverse team, wonderful study participants, sponsors, federal agencies, and laboratory scientists (to name a few). There is never a dull moment.
Kamidani: The research process for Phase 1-3 vaccine clinical trials is rigorous and multifaceted, involving thorough assessments of vaccines, regulatory compliance, safety monitoring, and ensuring data integrity. Our staff at ECC-VRC are experts who ensure that we all adhere to these protocols and provide accurate data. Typically, these trials span 2-3 years or more to complete, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, the process was safely accelerated at “warp speed”. Epidemiological studies involve detailed patient chart reviews, patient interviews, rigorous data analysis, and interpretation. Engaging in discussions with experts at institutions such as the CDC, the NIH, and other academic sites is always enjoyable and provides a great learning experience. Most importantly, the interactions with patients and their families are great aspects of our clinical research.
Why is this research important to you?
Rostad: Clinical research is science in service to humanity. I hope that this work serves children and communities well by preventing infectious diseases, protecting the public health, and providing children with the opportunity for brighter futures.
Kamidani: Vaccinations save lives. This is real and means a lot to me. Therefore, it is important to persist in developing safer and more effective vaccines. Additionally, it is equally critical to dedicate efforts to research addressing vaccine confidence and hesitancy to maintain public trust in vaccinations.