IDCRC Investigator Profile: Satoshi Kamidani, MD, PhD

Emory Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Unit

This month's IDCRC investigator spotlight features Satoshi Kamidani, MD, PhD, assistant professor of pediatrics at Emory University, pediatric infectious diseases physician at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, associate director of the Emory Children’s Center Vaccine Research Clinic (ECC-VRC), and co-investigator for the Emory VTEU.

His research focuses on evaluating vaccine safety and effectiveness, optimizing childhood vaccination strategies, and understanding the epidemiology of vaccine-preventable diseases. Dr. Kamidani also serves as the Emory principal investigator for the CDC Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment (CISA) project and is the pediatric lead investigator for Georgia’s Respiratory Virus Hospitalization Surveillance Network (RESP-NET) surveillance of RSV, influenza, and COVID-19.

Dr. Kamidani serves as an ECC-VRC sub-investigator for the IDCRC PROMISE study, "The Immunology and Safety of Maternal RSV Vaccination (ABRYSVO), Infant Nirsevimab (BEYFORTUS) Immunization, or Both Products." Read about the PROMISE study.

How long have you worked with a VTEU?

I started working with the Emory VTEU in 2020 as a pediatric infectious diseases fellow when Emory was activated for the phase 1 first-in-human trial of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, mRNA-1273 (DMID 20-0003).

Can you share more about a current IDCRC study you're working on?

I am currently involved in DMID 24-0003, a study on RSV prevention as a sub-investigator at ECC-VRC. This phase 4 study evaluates the immunology and safety of maternal RSVpreF vaccination and infant nirsevimab, administered alone or in combination, in mother-infant pairs. The study aims to determine whether the combination of maternal RSV vaccination during pregnancy and infant nirsevimab is safe, and how the infant’s RSV antibody changes over time compared with each product used alone. The study also examines breast milk antibodies and intercurrent RSV infections.

Read about IDCRC Studies

Briefly describe the IDCRC-supported trials you’ve supported.

I served as ECC-VRC site principal investigator for the COVID-19 Variant Immunologic Landscape Trial (COVAIL), which evaluated the magnitude, breadth, and landscape of neutralizing antibody responses following a second booster dose with investigational monovalent and bivalent variant-specific vaccines. The findings demonstrated that variant-specific boosters broaden neutralizing antibody responses without diminishing immunity to the ancestral strain. This evidence contributed to the U.S.' national COVID-19 vaccine development strategy during a period of rapid viral evolution and supported the transition to updated monovalent COVID-19 vaccines in response to emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Of these trials, what has been the most impactful or a highlight of the work?

The most impactful aspect of this work was its timely contribution to immunization policy during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when rapid evidence generation was essential to guide national decision-making and protect public health. The translation of immunologic data into actionable vaccine policy helped support the wellbeing of the patients and communities we serve at a critical moment. This achievement was made possible through exceptional teamwork across the IDCRC network and the selfless participation of study volunteers. I still remember a senior participant who shared her desire to contribute to research in order to help others during the difficult time.

What is a strength or example of the importance of the IDCRC during the pandemic and beyond?

One of the key strengths of the IDCRC is its strong culture of mentoring and networking. I was a member of the second IDCRC mentorship cohort, through which I gained a deeper understanding of the structure of the VTEU/IDCRC network and clinical trial conduct through a variety of lectures and interactive sessions. The speakers included leaders in vaccinology and clinical trials, and I greatly valued the opportunity to learn from their professional experiences, career paths, and insights as researchers. I also benefited from engaging with peers in the cohort at similar stages in their careers through exchanging ideas and sharing experiences.

What do you like to do outside of the VTEU?

I enjoy playing sports and music with my kids and exploring new cafés and enjoying lattes with my wife. Diving into Japanese manga and anime is, of course, my favorite hobby.