We are honored to announce the retirement of Alan Barrett, PhD, DSc (Hon), Professor and Director of the Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences in the John Sealy School of Medicine at UTMB. Dr. Barrett has served UTMB with a distinguished career for 32 years, in the areas of research, education and administration.

Dr. Barrett obtained his PhD from the University of Warwick and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Subsequently, he was Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, and Head of the Molecular Microbiology Research Group at the University of Surrey (1985-1993). 

In 1993. Dr. Barrett moved to UTMB as an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology and was promoted to Professor in 1997. He was Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Pathology (2000-2005) and then became Associate Director for Research during the construction of the Galveston National Laboratory (2005-2008). In 2008 he became Director of the Sealy Center for Vaccine Development (SCVD); the SCVD was re-designated Institute status, as the Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, in December 2017. He was elected Fellow of the International Society for Vaccines in 2014 and Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology in 2016. In 2018 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science Degree from the University of Warwick for his significant contributions to World Health Organization (WHO) vaccine research, development and implementation. 

Dr. Barrett’s research interests are the molecular basis of pathogenesis and vaccine development of flaviviruses (dengue, Japanese encephalitis, West Nile, tick-borne encephalitis, yellow fever, and Zika). His research has resulted in him authoring more than 385 papers, reviews, commentaries, and book chapters. He has made several contributions to WHO flavivirus vaccine working groups, as chair or member, that prepare recommendations for the use of vaccines. He has served on many international committees, including for the Singapore and British governments, and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, as well as multiple working groups of both the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). 

He is Founding Editor-in-Chief of Nature partner journal (npj) Vaccines (2015-present), which is the highest-ranking vaccine journal by impact factor. He has co-edited three books, including “Vaccines for Biodefense and Emerging and Neglected Diseases” with Larry Stanberry in 2008 (Academic Press); and in 2015 he co-edited, with Gregg Milligan, the first student textbook on vaccines, entitled “Vaccinology: An Essential Guide,” which was published by Wiley-Blackwell. 

He has also made many contributions to education at UTMB as the Director of the Experimental Pathology Graduate Program, Director of the NIAID-funded T32 predoctoral training grant in Emerging and Tropical Infectious Diseases, and establishment of the Vaccinology Track within the Human Pathophysiology and Translational Medicine Graduate Program. He is a big believer in educating the next generation of scientists and has mentored 24 graduate students to get their PhDs and 14 post-doctoral fellows. Many have gone on to senior positions in either industry, academia or government

  

Please join us in celebrating Dr. Barrett’s outstanding career and contributions to UTMB. His contributions will continue to inspire excellence in research, education, and service. We extend our deepest gratitude to Dr. Barrett and wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement.

In addition, we are pleased to share that Richard Rupp, MD, has been named Director ad interim of the Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences. Dr. Rupp is a tenured Professor in the department and Director of the Pediatrics. He has served as Assistant Director for the Sealy Center for Vaccine Sciences as well as the Division Director of Adolescent and Behavioral Health. 

Dr. Rupp leads the SIVS Clinical Trials group and served as the Principal Investigator for clinical trials from Phase I to Phase IV in both pediatric and adult populations.  He has worked with local schools on various health issues, including the improvement of immunization rates. Along with a colleague, Dr. Rupp originated and developed “VaccineSmarts,” a campaign using methods such as podcasts, videos, newspaper/magazine articles, a website, podcasts, videos, newspaper and magazine articles and a public education website to educate the public about the importance of vaccines and the diseases they prevent.