Each year, March is designated as Women’s History Month to honor women’s contributions in US history. In many fields, women leaders are breaking barriers, inspiring the next generation, and driving innovation in research.
The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) will host an inspiring panel discussion featuring influential women leaders at the 2025 Annual Conference on Vaccinology Research. Read on for a preview as these trailblazing leaders share invaluable lessons learned throughout their careers, urging the next generation of scientists and public health advocates to take risks, stay curious, and make a difference …
Angela R. Branche, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
University of Rochester
Advice for the next generation: Take a risk and explore something you don’t feel equipped to do well. No one who has done good work did not at some point have to reach beyond their known potential.
Favorite quote: A colleague once told me that ‘sometimes you have to stop doing research, just for research’s sake.’ I’ll stop when there’s nothing left to study.
The first influenza infection I can remember—2009 H1N1 which I got working as an intern in a busy Brooklyn hospital—really made an impression! My mentors inspired me to study disease burden and help mitigate the impact of what we were reporting.
Branche with mentors Ann Falsey and Edward Walsh
Dominika Kovacs, MBA
US Franchise Head of Respiratory
Sanofi
Advice for the next generation: Be curious, try new things, and seek to discover your passion.
Favorite quote: “Vaccines save lives; fear endangers them.” -Jeffrey Kluger
After more than a decade working to design therapeutics to treat disease, I had the opportunity to make a career change to focus on prevention and public health. This pivot came shortly after I became a mother, and the prospect of contributing to protecting families worldwide from the complications associated with preventable diseases deeply resonated.
Photo from travel adventure with family
Kathleen M. Neuzil, MD, MPH
NFID Director
Associate Director for International Research
Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health
Advice for the next generation: Challenge yourself and take chances—be bold! Be curious, try new things, and seek to discover your passion.
Favorite quote: Do what you love, have fun along the way, and always travel with beach balls.
I was inspired by many mentors–giants in the field—Bill Schaffner, Barney Graham, Kathy Edwards, Marie Griffin, Peter Wright. To me, as a physician, there is nothing more powerful and motivating than preventing illness and suffering.
Neuzil in Africa
Folake E. Olayinka, MD, MPH
Former Immunization Technical Lead of Global Health
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Advice for the next generation: You are a bundle of excellence—and you have unique contributions to make in advancing innovation, increasing access, and solving complex problems. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t.
Favorite quote: “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” -Shirley Chisholm
My inspiration comes from the children, families, and communities around the world who benefit from the lifesaving power of vaccines and vaccination, especially in some of the world’s most difficult places to access healthcare.
Olayinka at work
H. Keipp B. Talbot, MD, MPH
Professor of Medicine and Health Policy
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Advice for the next generation: Sit at the table! You are just as important as the other people sitting at the table.
Life lesson: It is okay if your house is not perfectly clean.
I actually got interested in vaccines because my father chased a possum up a tree. Truly! You never know what will inspire you.
Talbot with family at Magic Kingdom Main Street USA
Get Inspired
Learn more from these pioneers and other thought leaders at the 2025 Annual Conference on Vaccinology Research on May 5-7, 2025, in Washington, DC.
Register now to help shape future breakthroughs in vaccinology.
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