Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi is a distinguished microbiologist and global health leader specializing in vaccine development for tropical diseases. She currently serves as Senior Associate Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, where she is also Professor in the Departments of Pediatrics (Tropical Medicine) and Molecular Virology and Microbiology. A Honduran native, she earned her Licenciatura in Microbiology and Clinical Chemistry from the National Autonomous University of Honduras before pursuing her doctoral studies in Molecular Immunology and Experimental Pathology at the University of Florida. Following her PhD in 1995, she completed postdoctoral training at the University of Miami and University of Pennsylvania, establishing a foundation for her career in infectious disease research. Her leadership extends to her role as Co-Director of the Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, a position that has positioned her at the forefront of global vaccine innovation.
Dr. Bottazzi has made seminal contributions to vaccine development for neglected tropical diseases, with over 180 scientific publications that have significantly advanced the field of global infectious disease prevention. Her most impactful work includes co-developing the Corbevax COVID-19 vaccine, an open-source vaccine technology that has been authorized in multiple countries and produced over 200 million doses worldwide, demonstrating exceptional commitment to equitable vaccine access. This groundbreaking achievement earned her and her collaborator a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of their work addressing global vaccine inequity during the pandemic. Her research program has consistently focused on creating affordable, accessible vaccines for diseases affecting low-resource populations, including work on vaccines for Chagas disease, hookworm, and other neglected tropical diseases. These contributions have established her as a transformative figure in vaccine science, with her approach emphasizing both scientific rigor and social responsibility in global health.
Recognized as one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Central America by Forbes in 2020, Dr. Bottazzi's influence extends beyond the laboratory to global health policy and advocacy. She currently serves as Co-chair of the Vaccines and Therapeutics Taskforce of the Lancet Commission on COVID-19, shaping international responses to pandemic preparedness and vaccine equity. In 2024, she was elected to the National Academy of Medicine for her distinguished contributions to global health, following recognition as an Emerging Leader in Health and Medicine Scholar. Her leadership in the field is further demonstrated through her role as Editor-in-Chief of Current Tropical Medicine Reports and her service on numerous advisory boards addressing tropical disease challenges. Dr. Bottazzi continues to advance innovative vaccine platforms that prioritize accessibility and affordability, with ongoing research focused on developing next-generation vaccines for emerging infectious threats while maintaining her steadfast commitment to serving vulnerable populations worldwide.
