The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division (VIDD) is grounded in a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to research on a global scale. To facilitate this work, VIDD members have access to vast, unparalleled specimen and data collections for use in both laboratory and computational analysis.
Our leadership fosters an environment of creativity and innovation through collaboration, and we are dedicated to the advancement of early-career researchers. VIDD members are a diverse, active community of scientists who value inclusive decision-making and diversity. Committed to maintaining a tradition of scientific excellence, our division encourages multidisciplinary research throughout Fred Hutch and in partnership with outstanding research and clinical care organizations worldwide.
— Julie McElrath, Director
One of the world’s leading HIV vaccine researchers, Dr. Julie McElrath directs Fred Hutch’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division. She establishes the overall research direction for the program as well as guiding and mentoring junior faculty and young researchers.
Her lab has led groundbreaking research to identify some of the key relationships between HIV and the human immune system. Additionally, Dr. McElrath has led and contributed to a number of critical national and international HIV prevention efforts. These include the HIV Vaccine Trials Network, which is the world's largest network of its kind, and the Seattle HIV Vaccine Trials Unit.
A 2013 recipient of Puget Sound Business Journal’s Women of Influence Award, Dr. McElrath is also a full member in the Clinical Research Division of Fred Hutch, the Joel D. Meyers Endowed Chair, and a Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington.
Tracy brings 20 years of executive-level experience in operational systems design, business process improvement, human resources management, financial planning, and federal grants management. Most recently she served as the Deputy Director of Health Alliance International, an independent, non-profit organization affiliated with the UW Department of Global Health. In this position and others, she has overseen public health programmatic financial and business operations in several African countries and undergraduate research programming in India. Tracy received her B.A. in international studies at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and M.A. at the University of Washington Jackson School of International Studies.
The VIDD Executive Committee (EC) is comprised of six member-track faculty members (including the director of VIDD, Dr. McElrath, who also serves as a Hutch senior vice president) and up to two ex-officio members. The committee meets one to two times monthly and is charged with the development of strategic and professional leadership activities and the mentorship of faculty.
Link each to faculty profile page:
VIDD’s faculty are world-renowned leaders in multiple scientific disciplines, and many of our members direct vast international programs with locations in multiple centers around the globe. We strive to attract a young, diverse cadre of the most promising researchers in their fields, promoting the advancement and scientific development of junior faculty and research fellows.
Our distinguished program in Infectious Disease Sciences offers outstanding students and post-doctoral fellows a novel training opportunity in infectious diseases in immunocompromised patients. Funded by a first-of-its-kind NIH grant, the training program operates as a partnership between senior faculty at the University of Washington Medical School and Fred Hutch’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division.
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Eastlake Building, Day Campus
1100 Fairview Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98109
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Vaccine and Infectious Disease Program
Mail Stop E5-110
PO Box 19024
Seattle, WA 98109-1024