Feb. 6, 2023

AFRIMS attend Royal Thai Army anniversary celebration

BANGKOK — Members from the U.S Army Medical Directorate- Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences attended the Royal Thai Army Medical Department 123rd Anniversary Ceremony, Jan. 9. The celebration brought together 225 attendees and professionals in military medicine from around the local region representing RTA, RTAMED, Royal Thai Navy, Royal Thai Police, private industry, government, and academia. Representatives from AFRIMS were invited to join the ceremony as the only foreign military presence.

Jan. 19, 2023

U.S. Military HIV Research Lends Lessons Learned to COVID-19, HIV

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The U.S. military has led HIV research since 1986, when it stood up the U.S. Military HIV Research Program at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research at a time when reports of AIDS diagnoses showed almost twofold year-to-year increases in the United States. Since then, MHRP has been at the forefront of the battle against HIV, helping to protect the U.S. military and improve global health through research to develop an HIV vaccine, reduce new infections, and advance strategies to induce long-term HIV remission. The decades-long HIV research science provided valuable lessons for COVID-19 vaccine research. The success of the COVID-19 vaccine development has also provided valuable insight for HIV research. For example, work on the mRNA vaccine platform for HIV vaccines is being accelerated because of the success of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

Jan. 18, 2023

Squad leaders gain new insight through Army course

FORT EUSTIS, Va. — As Soldiers progress through the ranks in the Army, their level of responsibility increases to include leadership roles. Part of the process involves learning how to be an effective leader and mentor while balancing ongoing demands. To better prepare for their role as a squad leader, four Soldiers with the “This is My Squad” Leader Panel attended the Squad Leader Development Course and the Counseling Enhancement Workshop at Fort Eustis, Virginia, to learn the necessary skills to enhance the performance of their squads.

Dec. 23, 2022

Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Implements SARS-CoV-2 Genome Sequencing

Throughout the last two years, scientists and leaders have worked to identify ways to detect and respond to emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research's Viral Diseases Branch has played a vital role in these efforts through consistent access to unique samples from various geographic combatant commands. A few of these locations include the U.S. Central Command and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, as well as multiple recruit and trainee sites within the U.S. Northern Command.

Nov. 17, 2022

Researchers highlight latest advances during American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene meeting

SEATTLE — Members from the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, joined fellow researchers for the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 71st Annual Meeting, Oct. 30 to Nov. 3. The annual meeting brought together health professionals from around the globe representing academia, foundations, government, not for profit organizations, the private sector, military, and private practice. This year’s meeting marked the return of in-person presentations and attendance, following two years of virtual participation due to precautions related to the pandemic. According to the ASTMH website, there were 4,753 participants in-person and virtually, with 1,507 listed as first-time attendees. At the conclusion of the meeting, the researchers reflected on the overall experience.

Nov. 14, 2022

New Capability: The Cryo-EM

SILVER SPRING, MD — The WRAIR cryogenic electron microscope (Cryo-EM) is the newest capability in the Emerging Infectious Disease Branch and is unique within the Department of Defense. It will enable WRAIR and other DOD researchers, the ability to rapidly determine the high-resolution 3D structure of viruses, proteins, antibodies and drugs. Techniques that will be used on the Cryo-EM include single particle analysis, cryogenic electron tomography and in the future also microcrystal electron diffraction.

Nov. 7, 2022

Disabled vet's story helps build an equitable workforce

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Deven Schei, a veteran and spokesperson for the Wounded Warrior Project, met with members form the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Schei was a member of the 101st Airborne Air Assault division but his service ended with an injury, which left him unable to continue his deployment. After a long recovery from a traumatic brain injury, Schei encountered more obstacles looking for employment. He eventually leveraged the resources provided by the Wounded Warrior Project to build his resume and assist other veterans learn how to transfer their skills to the civilian workforce.

Oct. 26, 2022

Army doctor conducts presentation on prenatal Zika study at Infectious Disease Week

WASHINGTON — A U.S. Army doctor presented a study on prenatal Zika screenings at the Infectious Disease Week conference at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in the nation’s capital. Maj. Trevor R. Wellington, a U.S. Army medical officer from the 1st Area Medical Laboratory and Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, presented the study that provides greater insight into the role of prenatal Zika virus screenings and highlights the burden of mosquito-borne viruses on the Military Health System. Wellington said his presentation was one of 150 scientific sessions at the Infectious Disease Week conference as well as 1,735 poster presentations, ranging from COVID-19 treatment updates to leadership development practices.  

Sept. 27, 2022

U.S. Military HIV Research Program launches RV575 HIV Research Study

SILVER SPRING, Md — Clinical research coordinators from the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Clinical Trials Center, prepare samples prior to the RV575 research study, Sept. 27. The new trial, RV575, is a randomized double-blind study that will enroll a total of 60 healthy adult participants at the WRAIR Clinical Trials Center in Silver Spring, MD. Three arms of 20 participants will receive identical doses of the candidate vaccine antigen formulated with a different dose of ALFQ adjuvant, either 50, 100 or 200 micrograms. The 100 and 200 micrograms doses have been tested in previous clinical trials and found to be strongly immunogenic with favorable safety profiles. The hypothesis is that the 50-microgram dose of ALFQ will be equally immunogenic but demonstrate better safety profile compared to the 100 and 200 microgram doses.

Sept. 20, 2022

WRAIR leaders meet with Smithsonian Institution executives

SUITLAND, Md. — Leaders from the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research met with executives from the Smithsonian Institution, during a visit September, 6, 2022. WRAIR members received an overview briefing, reviewed assets and gained insight of the unit capabilities. The Smithsonian's Museum Support Center (MSC) hosts the Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit, which is a world-renowned center of taxonomic excellence, undertaking cutting-edge research to provide entomological intelligence tools and products that best assess global vector-borne disease risk.