August 14, 2025, SEOUL, Republic of Korea — We are pleased to announce that Dr. Jessica Cowden, MD, MPH, FAAP, has been appointed Deputy Director General of the Clinical, Assessment, Regulatory, Evaluation (CARE) unit at the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), effective August 1, 2025. Dr. Cowden will continue to be based at IVI’s Europe Regional Office in Stockholm, Sweden.

Dr. Cowden brings nearly 25 years of experience in infectious diseases, clinical trials, regulatory engagement, and vaccine development. Since joining IVI in 2024 as Associate Director General of CARE, she has led efforts to strengthen the quality and efficiency of clinical programs, support regulatory strategy across IVI’s vaccine portfolio, and develop new programmatic and funding opportunities. In recent months, she has also served as Acting Deputy Director General of CARE, demonstrating strong leadership and a deep commitment to IVI’s mission.

As Deputy Director General, Dr. Cowden will oversee the strategic direction and implementation of IVI’s clinical research, ensuring scientific rigor, ethical integrity, and operational excellence. She will also play a key role in advancing IVI’s partnerships and funding efforts, while fostering collaboration with global stakeholders.

Prior to joining IVI, Dr. Cowden served a distinguished career in the United States Air Force, retiring as Colonel. Her leadership roles spanned the U.S. Army Medical Directorate–Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (USAMD-AFRIMS) in Bangkok, the Kenya Medical Research Institute/Walter Reed Project, and the Defense Institute for Medical Operations, among others.

She holds an MD from the State University of New York at Buffalo, an MPH from the University of Colorado, and is board certified in both Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Cowden on this new appointment. We look forward to her continued leadership and contributions to IVI.