Boise State University hosted research in action, a Vaccine Webinar to discuss topics related to the Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccinations. The Vaccine Webinar took place on April 6 from 12:00-1:00 PM over zoom. Faculty, researchers, professors, and students presented current research, information, and details during this webinar. Watch the Vaccine Webinar recording below and to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccinations and degree programs at Boise State that connect you to this and other vital research.
Dr. Tinker is a faculty member of the Department of Biological Sciences and the Biomolecular Graduate Program at Boise State University. Dr. Tinker’s research focuses on the study of microbial factors that contribute to disease and the development of vaccines to prevent Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella Typhimurium infections. She will be discussing what the vaccine is and what it does.
Leslie Kendrick is an associate professor and program director in the Department of Radiologic Sciences at Boise State University. She is also a PhD student in the Boise State University Biomolecular Sciences Program. Kendrick’s dissertation research focus is on post-concussion symptom resolution and blood biomarker detection. Kendrick will be presenting materials from recent literature related to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in Phase II/III trials with hopes to answer student and community questions.
Gianluca Peri is an international student in the Biomolecular Sciences PhD program at Boise State University. Peri’s research revolves around evolution of pre-cellular life forms on Earth, specifically the RNA world. He plans on sharing his knowledge about helping people make better vaccination decisions.
Elise Overgaard is a researcher working in vaccine development at Boise State University. Her research focuses on human vaccine trials and the global scale of collaboration required to run them using the Novavax vaccine as a specific example. Overgaard will be providing insight into how human trials are run and highlighting some of the challenges of clinical trials by sharing details of the Novavax vaccine’s story.
Haley Bridgewater is a first year student in the Biomolecular Sciences PhD program at Boise State University. Her research focuses on adjuvants, or immune stimulators in vaccines. During this webinar, Bridgewater will share information on the Johnson and Johnson AdVac vaccine.
Tana Gazdik’s research focuses on the characteristics of cell to cell signaling pathways called Notch. She will be discussing the Novavax protein vaccine and the preliminary results of the phase 1 and 2 trials, as well as the set up of the phase 3 trials.
Rachael Neckels is a student in the Biomolecular Sciences PhD program. Her current area of research is in Gas Plasma Inactivation of Viruses including SARS-CoV-2. Rachael will be presenting on the results of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine efficacy and safety studies, as well as clinical trials, with an emphasis on vaccination data for disease prevention and reduction.