Principal Investigator at Seattle Children’s Research Institute / University of Washington, United States
Dr. Rhea Nadine Coler is a distinguished immunologist and global health researcher with over two decades of impactful contributions to infectious disease research, vaccine development, and translational immunology. Currently serving as a Professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine and Senior Investigator at Seattle Children’s Research Institute, she has held multiple leadership roles, including Vice President of Research and Development at IDRI and PAI Life Sciences. Her career is marked by significant involvement in international health organizations such as the World Health Organization, Gates Medical Research Institute, and GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health. A committed educator and mentor, Dr. Coler has guided numerous Ph.D. candidates and postdoctoral fellows while leading curriculum development in global health. She is also a strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, spearheading anti-racism initiatives within her institution. With editorial roles in journals like Frontiers in Immunology and a long-standing record of NIH grant reviews, Dr. Coler exemplifies research excellence, leadership, and dedication to advancing global health.
Professional Profile
🎓 Educational Background of Dr. Rhea Coler
Dr. Rhea Coler’s academic journey reflects a deep commitment to biomedical sciences and global health. She began her education at St. Joseph’s Convent in Trinidad, completing both her GCE Ordinary and Advanced Levels. She earned her B.Sc. in Physiology from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, laying the foundation for her future in biomedical research. She went on to complete her M.Sc. in Medical Parasitology at the prestigious London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in the UK. Further strengthening her research credentials, she pursued graduate-level studies in Pathobiology and Epidemiology at Washington State University. Dr. Coler culminated her formal education with a Ph.D. in Pathobiology from the University of Washington, where her research was conducted at Corixa Corporation. This rich and international academic background has uniquely positioned her to lead groundbreaking work in infectious diseases and immunology.
💼 Professional Experience of Dr. Rhea Coler
Dr. Rhea Coler has built an exemplary career at the intersection of academic research, biotechnology, and global health. She began as a Post-doctoral Scientist at the Infectious Disease Research Institute (IDRI), eventually advancing through pivotal roles such as Scientist, Director of Preclinical Biology, and ultimately Senior Vice President of Translational Research. Concurrently, she held leadership roles at PAI Life Sciences Inc. as Vice President of Research and Development. In academia, Dr. Coler has served as an Affiliate Professor and now as a Professor of Pediatrics in Infectious Diseases at the University of Washington School of Medicine, as well as a Senior Investigator at the Seattle Children’s Research Institute. Her extensive experience also includes editorial responsibilities, NIH grant reviews, and international advisory work, reflecting her far-reaching influence in infectious disease research and vaccine development.
🔬 Research Interests of Dr. Rhea Coler
Dr. Rhea Coler’s research is centered on infectious diseases, immunology, and vaccine development, with a strong focus on host-pathogen interactions and immune responses to neglected tropical diseases and emerging pathogens. Her work emphasizes the design and preclinical development of novel vaccine candidates for diseases such as tuberculosis, leishmaniasis, and other parasitic and bacterial infections. She is particularly interested in understanding protective immune mechanisms, identifying biomarkers of vaccine efficacy, and advancing adjuvant technologies to enhance immune responses. Dr. Coler is also engaged in translational immunology, bridging laboratory discoveries with real-world applications through global health partnerships and clinical research collaborations. Her goal is to develop safe, effective, and accessible vaccines to improve health outcomes in vulnerable populations worldwide.
🏆 Awards and Honors of Dr. Rhea Coler
Dr. Rhea Coler has received numerous prestigious awards and honors that reflect her outstanding contributions to biomedical research and global health. Early in her career, she was recognized for her master’s research at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, earning a departmental award and a Halley Stewart Foundation Research Grant. She was later awarded a highly competitive NIH Pre-doctoral Biotechnology Fellowship and continued to earn NIH/NIAID fellowships during both her doctoral and postdoctoral training, highlighting her early promise in infectious disease research. Her work has consistently attracted national recognition, leading to her selection as a reviewer, panelist, and chair for major NIH and global grant review panels. In addition, she has been honored by organizations such as the ARCS Foundation, the New York Community Trust Heiser Program for Research, and international institutions for her leadership in science and commitment to mentoring the next generation of researchers.
✅ Conclusion
Dr. Rhea Coler is an outstanding candidate for the Research Hypothesis Excellence Award. Her career demonstrates sustained excellence in hypothesis-driven translational research, leadership in global health innovation, mentoring, and a deep commitment to scientific integrity and DEI values.
🧾 Publication List of Dr. Rhea Coler
-
Title: Evaluation of host immune responses to Mycobacteriophage Fionnbharth by route of delivery
Authors: [Authors not listed here, as per source]
Journal: Virology Journal
Year: 2025
Citations: 0
-
Title: Comparative study on the virulence of mycobacteriophages
Authors: [Authors not listed here]
Journal: Journal of Virology
Year: 2025
Citations: 0
-
Title: Characterizing TLR4 agonist EmT4™ as an anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis vaccine adjuvant
Authors: [Authors not listed here]
Journal: Immunohorizons
Year: 2025
Citations: 0
-
Title: DEVELOPMENT AND CONCORDANCE OF BINDING AND NEUTRALIZING ASSAYS TO DETERMINE SARS-COV-2 ANTIBODY ACTIVITY IN HUMAN MILK
Authors: [Authors not listed here]
Journal: Pathogens and Immunity
Year: 2025
Citations: 0
-
Title: The Sm14+GLA-SE Recombinant Vaccine Against Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium in Adults and School Children: Phase II Clinical Trials in West Africa
Authors: [Authors not listed here]
Journal: Vaccines
Year: 2025
Citations: 0
-
Title: Backtranslation of human RNA biosignatures of tuberculosis disease risk into the preclinical pipeline is condition dependent
Authors: [Authors not listed here]
Journal: mSphere
Year: 2025
Citations: 0
-
Title: Enhanced D614G and Omicron Variants Antibody Persistence in Infants at 2 Months of Age Following Maternal mRNA Booster Vaccination During Pregnancy or Postpartum
Authors: [Authors not listed here]
Journal: Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
Year: 2024
Citations: 1
-
Title: Maternal COVID-19 Vaccination and Prevention of Symptomatic Infection in Infants
Authors: [Authors not listed here]
Journal: Pediatrics
Year: 2024
Citations: 11
-
Title: Recombinase-based amplification coupled with lateral flow chromatography for the specific and sensitive detection and identification of Leishmania major in cutaneous leishmaniasis patients
Authors: [Authors not listed here]
Journal: Frontiers in Microbiology
Year: 2024
Citations: 1
-
Title: Understanding the development of tuberculous granulomas: insights into host protection and pathogenesis, a review in humans and animals
Authors: [Authors not listed here]
Type: Review
Year: [Not mentioned explicitly, assumed 2024/2025]
Citations: 1