The Abigail Wexner Research Institute (AWRI) at Nationwide Children’s Hospital seeks applications and nominations for the position of Director, Center for Microbe and Immunity Research. The Director will play a crucial role in the development of a strategic plan for the center and expand the institute’s strengths in infectious disease research. The AWRI strongly supports the discovery of new knowledge and its translation into novel therapeutics and diagnostic tests to advance pediatric research. Unprecedented investment and inspired leadership have paved the way for tremendous progress. The Center’s single purpose is to improve the health of children through fundamental and applied research to better predict and understand the course of serious virus infections, and to translate this information into improved therapies and preventive vaccines.
The Director of the Center for Microbe and Immunity Research will foster a merger between two vibrant and high functioning centers focused on microbial pathogenesis and immunity. The Director will join a forward-thinking organization focused on discovery and innovation aimed at the prevention or management of infectious diseases and diseases of immune dysfunction affecting children and adults.
The Director will be joining the AWRI at a pivotal time, guiding an opportunistic strategic merger of two outstanding research centers. The Center for Vaccines and Immunity has an emphasis on identification of protective innate and adaptive immune mechanisms against viruses and the development of unique vaccine platforms and adjuvants. The Center for Microbial Pathogenesis seeks to develop a greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which microorganisms cause infectious diseases, as well as how the host responds to these disease states.
Reporting to both the AWRI Chief Scientific Officer and the Chair of the Department of Pediatrics within the College of Medicine at The Ohio State University, the Director will play a crucial role in the integration and
growth of two collaborative centers to further expand the institute’s strengths in infectious disease research through Director, Center for Microbe and Immunity Research strategic recruitment. The Director will also work in close partnership with the Clinical Division Chief of Infectious Diseases to maximize opportunities to grow and expand collaborative infectious disease research and clinical management across the institute and the larger hospital enterprise. Endeavors will align with Nationwide Children’s commitment to basic science discoveries, and with rapid translation of discoveries to the clinic that ultimately lead to improved care and best outcomes for its patients.
Founded in 1892, Nationwide Children’s Hospital has steadily evolved into one of the leading children’s hospitals in the nation. Named as a Top 10 Honor Roll “Best Children’s Hospital” for the past 11 years, Nationwide Children’s is one of America’s largest not-for-profit freestanding pediatric healthcare systems providing wellness, preventive, diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitative care for infants, children, and adolescents, as well as adult patients with congenital disease. In partnership with the Department of Pediatrics and the Department of Surgery at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Nationwide Children’s trains the next generation of pediatricians, pediatric surgeons, pediatric specialists and research scientists. Nationwide Children’s is a champion for the well-being of all children everywhere and with that commitment, diversity, equity and inclusion are key cornerstone values. Nationwide Children’s has a staff of nearly 16,000 that provides state-of-the-art wellness, preventive and rehabilitative care, and diagnostic treatment during more than 1.8 million patient visits annually.
As home to the Department of Pediatrics of The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Nationwide Children’s physicians train the next generation of pediatricians and pediatric specialists. The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of the Top 10 National Institutes of Health-funded freestanding pediatric research facilities. More is information available at NationwideChildrens.org.
Please submit nominations to Caroline O’Shea, Senior Consultant at FurstGroup, at coshea@furstgroup.com.
