Marcel Wuethrich, PhD, distinguished scientist in the Division of Infectious Diseases, was awarded a research grant from the UW Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education (OVCRGE) for $79,847 for his project titled “Functional correlates of vaccine induced immunity to fungi.” This project expands on his previous studies into antifungal vaccine strategies. This grant will be used particularly to better understand one potentially successful vaccine through funding the work of Cleison Ledesma Taira, PhD, research associate in Wuethrich’s laboratory. The number of fungal infections in the United States has risen dramatically over the last 15 years and is now among the top 10 causes of death, largely due to a lack of vaccines against fungi. This project will attempt to help address this insufficiency. Beginning in July 2023, it will continue for one year.