Emory Vaccine Center Executive and Leadership Team

Ella Ferguson, the Hall Council President at Emory Vaccine Center, directs student engagement initiatives that foster a collaborative community environment within the institution. Overseeing residential programming and student-led outreach, the Hall Council President ensures that the campus culture supports the academic and research-focused mission of the center. Ella Ferguson coordinates events that connect students with the broader scientific community, promoting interdisciplinary dialogue. This leadership role involves managing student budgets and organizing initiatives that enhance the overall experience for those involved in the research ecosystem. By facilitating communication between the student body and institutional leadership, the Hall Council President drives initiatives that improve campus life. Ferguson maintains a focus on inclusivity and professional development, ensuring that students remain engaged with the groundbreaking work occurring in the laboratories. Through active leadership, the Hall Council President contributes to a vibrant, supportive atmosphere for future scientists.

Manuella De Senna Guerra, the President, Spark Mentorship Group at Emory Vaccine Center, directs programs designed to cultivate the next generation of researchers in immunology and virology. Overseeing mentorship initiatives, the President, Spark Mentorship Group ensures that students receive guidance from experienced professionals within the vaccine research field. Manuella De Senna Guerra coordinates workshops and networking opportunities that bridge the gap between academic theory and practical laboratory application. This leadership role involves managing mentor-mentee pairings and developing curricula that align with the center's focus on translational science. By fostering professional growth, the President, Spark Mentorship Group supports the long-term development of talent within the institution. Guerra drives the expansion of mentorship outreach, ensuring that students gain exposure to the complexities of infectious disease research. Through these efforts, the President, Spark Mentorship Group strengthens the pipeline of skilled scientists dedicated to global health solutions.

Ziben Zhou, the President at Emory Vaccine Center, directs the overarching strategic vision and institutional growth of the organization. Overseeing the alignment of basic, clinical, and translational science, the President ensures that the center remains at the forefront of immunology and virology research. Ziben Zhou coordinates with key stakeholders to secure funding and support for high-impact vaccine development projects. This leadership role involves setting the research agenda and fostering partnerships with external clinical entities like the Hope Clinic. By driving innovation in cancer biology and infectious disease studies, the President maintains the institution's reputation as a global leader. Zhou manages the executive team to ensure that all departments operate in harmony with the core mission. Through decisive leadership, the President secures the resources and talent necessary to advance life-saving vaccine strategies, ultimately impacting global health outcomes on a significant scale.

Lizi Tsulaia, the President of Photography Club Emory at Emory Vaccine Center, directs visual communication initiatives that document the scientific achievements and campus life of the institution. Overseeing the creative output of the club, the President of Photography Club Emory ensures that research milestones and community events receive professional visual representation. Lizi Tsulaia coordinates projects that highlight the state-of-the-art facilities and the dedicated work of the research teams. This leadership role involves managing equipment resources and organizing exhibitions that showcase the intersection of science and art. By capturing the essence of the center's mission, the President of Photography Club Emory supports institutional outreach and public engagement efforts. Tsulaia drives the development of visual narratives that communicate the importance of vaccine research to a broader audience. Through these creative contributions, the President of Photography Club Emory enhances the visibility and cultural impact of the research community.

April Carswell, the Chief of Staff at Emory Vaccine Center, directs internal operations and coordinates cross-functional initiatives across the research facility. Managing high-level administrative workflows, the Chief of Staff ensures alignment between laboratory objectives and institutional goals. April Carswell facilitates communication between the leadership team and various research departments to optimize resource allocation for immunology studies. By streamlining operational processes, the Chief of Staff supports the development of vaccines for global diseases. This role involves managing complex schedules and project timelines to maintain the pace of translational science. Through meticulous oversight of daily activities, the Chief of Staff enables researchers to focus on clinical trials and virology breakthroughs. Carswell maintains operational excellence, ensuring that the facility functions at peak capacity to meet the urgent demands of modern vaccine research and development.

Patricia Benson, the Chief of Staff & Associate Dean at Emory Vaccine Center, manages the intersection of academic governance and clinical research administration. Overseeing the integration of educational programs with vaccine development initiatives, the Chief of Staff & Associate Dean ensures that institutional standards remain high. Patricia Benson coordinates with the Hope Clinic to facilitate human clinical trials and translational science projects. This leadership position involves managing faculty relations and academic policy to support the broader mission of the center. By aligning administrative strategies with scientific goals, the Chief of Staff & Associate Dean fosters an environment conducive to breakthrough discoveries in cancer biology. Benson drives the implementation of long-term research strategies, ensuring that the institution maintains a competitive edge in the global immunology landscape while upholding rigorous academic and clinical integrity.

Drew Homa, the Research Administration Chief of Staff at Emory Vaccine Center, manages the financial and logistical frameworks supporting extensive infectious disease research. Overseeing the administrative infrastructure for pre-clinical studies, the Research Administration Chief of Staff ensures that laboratory teams possess the necessary resources for complex virology projects. Drew Homa coordinates with the Emory National Primate Research Center to streamline collaborative vaccine strategies. This role involves monitoring grant compliance and budget execution to sustain the center's research output. By optimizing administrative workflows, the Research Administration Chief of Staff enables scientists to focus on the core mission of developing life-saving vaccines. Homa maintains rigorous oversight of operational data, ensuring that all research activities adhere to safety and quality standards. Through strategic resource management, the Research Administration Chief of Staff supports the long-term sustainability of the center's clinical and translational science efforts.