RICHARD RUPP, MD
DIRECTOR
The Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences (SIVS) advances vaccines from early discovery to real-world use. Its faculty and trainees study how the immune system works, test promising vaccine candidates, and lead clinical trials to ensure safety and effectiveness. This “bench-to-community” model reflects SIVS’s core mission: to protect health by supporting every stage of vaccine development and strengthening public trust in vaccination.
Vaccines are often called a “victim of their own success.” Diseases like polio, measles, and meningitis have become so rare that many people no longer recognize the risks they once posed. As these threats fade, misinformation and doubt can take their place. When immunization rates drop, infections can resurface—often affecting the youngest, oldest, and most medically vulnerable.
That is why SIVS pairs scientific innovation with strong public engagement. A key goal is to help people understand how vaccines are created, monitored, and improved. Even the most effective vaccine cannot save lives if people decline it. By uniting rigorous research with clear communication, SIVS works to ensure that lifesaving advances truly reach—and protect—the communities they are meant to serve.