Scott Weaver, director of the Institute for Human Infections and Immunity and scientific director of the Galveston National Laboratory, has received a $1.2 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. 

The award for “Development of a multivalent Chikungunya/dengue virus vaccine” will help facilitate vaccine strategies to prevent and control these dangerous mosquito-borne diseases, in collaboration with Dr. John K. Rose, director of the molecular virology program at Yale University. 

Weaver is an internationally recognized virologist and vector biologist whose research has provided valuable insight into tropical virology and the prevention of bioterrorism. He has received numerous grants from the National Institutes of Health and has four patents in vaccine development.

UTMB Professor George R. Saade has been appointed to the National Advisory Child Health and Human Development Council of the National Institutes of Health by Kathleen Sebelius, U.S. secretary of Health & Human Services. Of the 18-member council, Saade is one of 12 individuals selected from the leading representatives of the health and scientific disciplines in the nation relevant to maternal and child health.

In this role, Saade will work with other council members to advise and consult with the director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development on research, support activities and functions of the institute.

Saade said he is honored to serve on the council. “Pregnancy is truly a window to future health for both mother and child. Anything we can do to improve pregnancy outcomes will have significant, long-term benefit to society,” Saade said. “This appointment recognizes the national reputation of UTMB’s research and clinical programs. It would not have been possible without the support of the entire Ob-Gyn department, and the investment in maternal and infant health care.

Saade is Jennie Sealy Smith Distinguished Chair in the UTMB Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, chief of obstetrics and director of the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine. He is also the medical director of the Perinatal Research Division. The term begins immediately and will end Nov. 30, 2017.

The School of Nursing welcomes new faculty members Dora Kuntz, an assistant professor in the bachelor’s degree program and Frances Sonstein, an assistant professor in the master’s degree program.