Wesley Self, MD, MPH, Senior Vice President for Clinical Research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, has been named chair of the Scientific Steering Committee overseeing a global clinical trials network focused on acute infectious disease.
The network, called Strategies and Treatments for Respiratory Infections and Viral Emergencies (STRIVE), is funded by the National Institutes of Health. It includes more than 300 sites around the world and international experts in clinical trials, infectious diseases, critical care and pandemic preparedness.
“STRIVE has the critical mission to take all the lessons learned from the recent COVID-19 pandemic to build a global clinical trials infrastructure capable of rapidly conducting rigorous clinical trials in emergency and pandemic situations,” Self said. “I am extremely excited to help with this effort.”
“Dr. Self’s appointment as chair of the STRIVE Scientific Steering Committee is a testament to his exceptional leadership and expertise in clinical research,” said Jennifer Pietenpol, PhD, Chief Scientific and Strategy Officer for VUMC. “His dedication to advancing the world’s understanding and treatment of acute infectious diseases is extraordinary, and we are immensely proud of the pivotal role he and VUMC play in this global effort.”
Self is professor of Emergency Medicine and director of the Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research.
He and VUMC played a key role in the creation of the STRIVE network. As one of the network’s nine clinical coordinating centers, VUMC coordinates the participation of 40 institutions within the network.
The current research portfolio includes three ongoing global clinical trials evaluating therapies for severe respiratory infections including an antiviral medication, an immunomodulatory agent and hyperimmunoglobulin therapy.
The group is developing additional clinical trials and an observational study platform to serve as a surveillance system for emerging pathogens.
