Nancy Sullivan (biologist)

American immunologist and virologist

Dr. Nancy Sullivan in her laboratory

Nancy Sullivan is an American immunologist and virologist renowned for her pioneering work in the development of vaccines against Ebola virus disease. She is a senior investigator at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where she leads the Biodefense Research Section.

Early life and education

Nancy Sullivan was born in the United States and developed an early interest in the biological sciences. She pursued her undergraduate studies in biology, earning a Bachelor of Science degree. She then went on to complete her doctoral studies, obtaining a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology. Her academic training laid the foundation for her future contributions to the field of virology and vaccine development.

Career

Sullivan began her career at the NIH, where she quickly became involved in research focused on viral pathogens and immune responses. Her work has primarily centered on the development of vaccines and therapeutics for viral hemorrhagic fevers, particularly those caused by the Ebola virus.

Ebola vaccine development

Sullivan is best known for her role in the development of a promising Ebola vaccine. Her research team was instrumental in creating a vaccine candidate that uses a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV) as a vector to express the glycoprotein of the Ebola virus. This vaccine, known as rVSV-ZEBOV, has shown high efficacy in clinical trials and has been deployed in outbreak settings to control the spread of the disease.

Contributions to virology

In addition to her work on Ebola, Sullivan has contributed to the understanding of immune responses to other viral pathogens. Her research has provided insights into the mechanisms of viral entry, replication, and the host immune response, which are critical for the development of effective vaccines and therapeutics.

Awards and recognition

Throughout her career, Sullivan has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to science and public health. Her work has been recognized by various scientific organizations, and she is frequently invited to speak at international conferences on infectious diseases and vaccine development.

Related pages

• Ebola virus disease
• Vaccine
• Virology
• Immunology
• National Institutes of Health