Emory Vaccine Center Executive and Leadership Team

Tiara Ward, the Chief Operating Officer at Emory Vaccine Center, directs the daily operational functions of the state-of-the-art research facility. The Chief Operating Officer manages the logistical requirements for clinical trials, ensuring that the Hope Clinic maintains full compliance with regulatory standards. Tiara Ward oversees the allocation of laboratory space and equipment to maximize the output of translational science projects. By optimizing supply chain logistics for sensitive biological materials, the Chief Operating Officer supports the continuous progress of vaccine research. This role involves coordinating with external partners to expand the reach of clinical initiatives across North American markets. The Chief Operating Officer monitors operational budgets to ensure the efficient use of funding for infectious disease studies. Through meticulous oversight of facility operations, the Chief Operating Officer provides the stable environment necessary for the scientific team to achieve significant advancements in immunology.

Manuella De Senna Guerra, the President, Spark Mentorship Group at Emory Vaccine Center, leads initiatives focused on developing the next generation of immunology researchers. The President, Spark Mentorship Group creates structured programs that connect students with senior scientists to foster hands-on learning in virology. Manuella De Senna Guerra oversees the curriculum for mentorship activities, ensuring that participants gain exposure to both basic and translational science. By building partnerships with academic departments, the President, Spark Mentorship Group expands the pipeline of talent entering the field of vaccine research. This role involves organizing workshops that highlight the latest advancements in cancer biology and infectious disease prevention. The President, Spark Mentorship Group monitors the progress of mentees to ensure that the program effectively prepares individuals for careers in clinical research. Through this leadership, the President, Spark Mentorship Group strengthens the long-term research capacity of the institution.

Ella Ferguson, the Hall Council President at Emory Vaccine Center, manages community engagement and student-led initiatives within the research campus environment. The Hall Council President organizes events that promote collaboration among students and researchers, fostering a cohesive academic community. Ella Ferguson oversees the allocation of resources for student activities that support the mission of the center. By facilitating communication between the student body and the administration, the Hall Council President ensures that the needs of the research community are addressed. This role involves coordinating outreach programs that educate the public about the importance of vaccine research. The Hall Council President drives initiatives that improve the quality of life for those working and studying within the facility. Through this leadership, the Hall Council President contributes to a vibrant and supportive environment that encourages innovation and long-term commitment to the field of immunology.

Ziben Zhou, the President at Emory Vaccine Center, defines the overarching strategic vision for the institution's research and clinical programs. The President oversees the alignment of basic science, clinical trials, and translational research to ensure the development of effective vaccines. Ziben Zhou collaborates with the Emory National Primate Research Center to advance complex vaccine strategies for global diseases. By engaging with external stakeholders and funding agencies, the President secures the resources necessary to maintain the center's status as a leader in immunology. This role involves setting the research agenda for the Hope Clinic and ensuring that all clinical trials meet the highest standards of safety and efficacy. The President drives the long-term growth of the institution by fostering a culture of scientific excellence and interdisciplinary collaboration. Through this leadership, the President ensures that the center remains at the forefront of global health innovation.

Lizi Tsulaia, the President of Photography Club Emory at Emory Vaccine Center, leads efforts to document the scientific achievements and daily operations of the research facility. The President of Photography Club Emory organizes visual storytelling projects that highlight the impact of immunology research on global health. Lizi Tsulaia manages the production of high-quality imagery used in institutional reports and public outreach materials. By capturing the work of researchers in the laboratory, the President of Photography Club Emory helps communicate the value of translational science to a broader audience. This role involves coordinating with the communications department to ensure that visual assets align with the brand identity of the center. The President of Photography Club Emory fosters a creative environment that encourages students to engage with the scientific mission through visual media. Through this leadership, the President of Photography Club Emory enhances the public visibility of the center's critical work.

April Carswell, the Chief of Staff at Emory Vaccine Center, manages high-level administrative workflows and coordinates cross-departmental initiatives. By aligning internal resources with the core mission of immunology research, the Chief of Staff ensures operational efficiency across the facility. April Carswell facilitates communication between the research teams and the executive leadership to streamline the development of vaccines for global diseases. This role involves overseeing the integration of basic science findings into clinical trial frameworks. By optimizing administrative processes, the Chief of Staff supports the broader goal of translating complex virology data into actionable medical solutions. The Chief of Staff maintains rigorous standards for project management, ensuring that all research milestones align with the strategic objectives of the institution. Through this oversight, the Chief of Staff enables the scientific staff to focus exclusively on critical breakthroughs in cancer biology and infectious disease prevention.

Terry Decker, the Chief Technology Officer at Emory Vaccine Center, architects the digital infrastructure required for advanced virology and immunology research. The Chief Technology Officer implements secure data management systems that support the extensive clinical trials conducted at the Hope Clinic. Terry Decker oversees the deployment of high-performance computing resources necessary for analyzing complex genomic data sets. By modernizing the technological landscape, the Chief Technology Officer ensures that researchers possess the tools needed for rapid vaccine development. This leadership role involves collaborating with the Emory National Primate Research Center to synchronize data sharing protocols across regional research networks. The Chief Technology Officer drives innovation in laboratory automation, reducing the time required for pre-clinical testing. Through the strategic application of technology, the Chief Technology Officer secures the integrity of research data while facilitating seamless collaboration among global scientific partners.

Patricia Benson, the Chief of Staff & Associate Dean at Emory Vaccine Center, bridges the gap between academic leadership and clinical research administration. The Chief of Staff & Associate Dean develops strategic policies that govern the intersection of immunology education and vaccine development. Patricia Benson oversees the recruitment of top-tier research talent, ensuring that the institution remains at the forefront of virology. By managing the administrative interface with the university, the Chief of Staff & Associate Dean facilitates the integration of basic science into the broader clinical mission. This role involves representing the center in high-level academic forums to promote the impact of translational research. The Chief of Staff & Associate Dean ensures that all educational programs align with the evolving needs of the global health community. Through this dual leadership capacity, the Chief of Staff & Associate Dean fosters a culture of excellence in both research and academic training.

Drew Homa, the Research Administration Chief of Staff at Emory Vaccine Center, governs the administrative lifecycle of all clinical and pre-clinical research grants. The Research Administration Chief of Staff ensures that every study adheres to strict ethical and safety guidelines while maintaining project timelines. Drew Homa coordinates the submission of research proposals to federal and private funding bodies, securing the resources necessary for ongoing vaccine development. By managing the complex reporting requirements for infectious disease studies, the Research Administration Chief of Staff provides transparency to the board and external stakeholders. This role involves auditing research expenditures to ensure alignment with the strategic goals of the center. The Research Administration Chief of Staff facilitates communication between principal investigators and administrative departments to resolve operational bottlenecks. Through this rigorous oversight, the Research Administration Chief of Staff protects the financial and regulatory health of the research enterprise.

James Leonard, the Associate Chief Information Officer at Emory Vaccine Center, manages the implementation of specialized software solutions for immunology data analysis. The Associate Chief Information Officer oversees the cybersecurity protocols that protect sensitive patient information collected during clinical trials at the Hope Clinic. James Leonard directs the maintenance of the internal network, ensuring that researchers have uninterrupted access to critical databases. By optimizing the digital workflow for laboratory data, the Associate Chief Information Officer increases the speed of scientific discovery. This role involves collaborating with the IT department to scale infrastructure as the volume of research data grows. The Associate Chief Information Officer monitors system performance to prevent downtime during high-stakes clinical research phases. Through the management of information systems, the Associate Chief Information Officer supports the data-driven mission of the center, ensuring that all findings remain secure and accessible.