Richard J. Webby Lab

As an NIAID-designated Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Response, we collaborate and partner with multidisciplinary domestic and international research groups to study influenza and explore ways to mitigate virus emergence and transmission. 

Although we conduct basic field and laboratory research on the emergence of influenza strains, my laboratory also has a translational research impact on public health. One of the mandates within our lab’s designation as a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Influenza is to monitor the evolution of some of these potentially pandemic-causing virus strains and contribute to global preparedness efforts. Along with other members of the WHO’s Global Influenza Surveillance and Response Network, we evaluate the results of our field research and make recommendations to WHO on which influenza strains to include in our annual flu vaccines.  

Because of our designation with WHO and NIAID, as well as robust collaborations with colleagues at St. Jude and organizations throughout the world, we have the unique ability to take the results of our basic research and translate them into informed decisions that have an impact on global public health.