Rhea Coler, MSc, PhD

Rhea Coler, MSc, PhD
"For over 20 years, I have committed myself to 4 key scientific themes: discovery, translational research, global health education, and mentorship."

  • Biography

    Rhea Coler, MSc, PhD, received her PhD from the University of Washington, MSc from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and BSc from McGill University. She is interim associate director of the Center for Global Infectious Disease Research at Seattle Children’s Research Institute; a professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases; and an affiliate professor in the Department of Global Health, Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Pathobiology, University of Washington. Her research is supported by grants from NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a variety of local and international biotechnology companies. As a member of the Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Consortium (IDCRC) and a Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Units (VTEUs) site. Coler is also working on clinical trials of prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines for a variety of infectious disease pathogens including influenza and schistosomiasis. Outside of the lab, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cooking, traveling and scuba diving.

    Research Description

    Dr. Coler’s current research centers on vaccine development and host-directed therapies against a variety of epidemic and pandemic diseases. The Coler lab’s mission is to develop products to fight tuberculosis, nontuberculous mycobacteria and positive strand RNA viruses to improve outcomes in adult and childhood health — major causes of mortality, poverty, and inequality in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC). Our focus is translational research: we funnel vaccine candidates from the laboratory to human studies. Some viable solutions to-date include M72 and ID93 for tuberculosis, both in Phase 2 clinical testing.

    The pathogens we study pose significant challenges in that they have evolved to evade or suppress host immunity. In an effort to address these issues, we are investigating new vaccine and host-directed therapy concepts aimed at achieving protective efficacy. Toward this goal, we design candidate vaccines, test them extensively in preclinical models including mice, guinea pigs and non-human primates to demonstrate acceptable tolerability and immunogenicity, and evaluate both prophylactic and therapeutic potential in these animal models. Our studies have shown that when administered in combination with antimicrobial drugs profound protection is induced that persists after drugs are withdrawn.

    Studies currently in progress in the Coler lab aim to elucidate mechanisms of protection mediated by various prophylactic and therapeutic approaches including the application of novel adjuvants, mRNA vaccine delivery and combinatorial regimens to further improve these outcomes.

    As a member of the Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Consortium (IDCRC) and a Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Units (VTEUs) site, Dr. Coler is also working on clinical trials of therapeutics and prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines for a variety of infectious disease pathogens including influenza and schistosomiasis.

    Results from our work has resulted in several patents, three start-up biotechnology companies, and translation of several infectious disease vaccines from preclinical to clinical development.

  • Related Resources

  • Awards and Honors

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  • Publications

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  • Clinical Trials and Research Studies

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