Announcements

The Duke Human Vaccine Institute fosters a culture of inclusion of individuals from diverse backgrounds. In particular, June is a time to specifically uplift our LGBTQ+ colleagues. While June is indeed Pride Month, our goal is to value, appreciate, and support our LGBTQ+ colleagues throughout the year. Below we have listed three events related to Duke and DHVI where you can show your support for the LGBTQ+ community, learn about the experiences of your LGBTQ+ colleagues at Duke, and find out how to be an ally.

Transgender Day of Remembrance is observed annually on November 20th to memorialize those murdered as a result of transphobia worldwide. Find more information and statistics on the Transgender Day of Remembrance.

It is incumbent upon us as Americans to recognize the significance of the verdict in the Chauvin trial. It is undoubtedly a landmark in our country’s journey to become a more just version of itself. It is a signal to our country that we should respect each other as people first beyond our race, economic status, orientation, political ideology, religion, gender, or ethnicity. However, let us not be mistaken in thinking this verdict means change. Change will not come from any single verdict, but instead comes from each of us deciding to value one another.

The Duke Human Vaccine Institute is deeply saddened by the senseless deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and too many other Americans of color. We grieve alongside their families and our fellow Americans over the loss of another black citizen at the hands of police brutality, racism, and disregard for the dignity of people of color. These deaths have led to heightened awareness of the need for fostering diversity and inclusion more than ever. These deaths, and the resulting protests, have affected all of us in some way.

 

Congratulations to Lynn Harrington on receiving the Duke School of Medicine Research Staff Appreciation Award. The Research Staff Appreciation Awards recognize staff members who provide exemplary support in the conduct of research.
 

Congratulations to Dr. Guido Ferrari for being a recipient of this year’s School of Medicine Faculty Awards. Dr. Ferrari was one of six faculty members to receive the Research Mentoring Award.  The Research Mentoring Awards recognize faculty members in the School of Medicine for excellence in research mentoring.

We are deeply saddened by the attacks against Asian and Asian-American communities over the last year and grieve the unnecessary loss of eight lives in the recent heinous attacks in the Atlanta area. At DHVI, we continue to affirm our stance against hate and racism and call for each of our members to actively promote inclusion, social justice, and positive change for our nation. DHVI leadership stands united with the leadership of School of Medicine in denouncing senseless violence and bigotry against Asian, Asian-American, and Pacific Islander communities. 

The DHVI is pleased to announce that Persephone Borrow, PhD has joined the Institute as an affiliate faculty member. Dr. Borrow is a Professor of Viral Immunology at the University of Oxford, UK. Her research focuses on innate and T cell responses in acute and early HIV-1 infection to inform the rational design of effective strategies for HIV prophylaxis and therapy.  Dr. Borrow has been engaged in HIV research since the early 1990s, and her team at Oxford University have collaborated with Dr.