Infectious IDeas

What will it take to better prepare the world for the next pandemic, and why are vaccine equity and disease surveillance critical to that effort? In this episode of the Infectious IDeas podcast, NFID CEO Rebecca Alvania, PhD, MA, MPH, and NFID Medical Director Robert H. Hopkins, Jr., MD, have a candid conversation with Richard J. Hatchett, MD, CEO of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and recipient of the 2026 NFID Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Humanitarian Award. He shares his thoughts on the 100 Days Mission, the lessons of Ebola epidemic, and why he sees pandemic preparedness as a matter of conscience as much as science.  
Hatchett traces an unlikely path from a medical residency during the early years of the AIDS epidemic, to Ebola fieldwork in Gabon, to volunteering at Ground Zero after September 11 — the same instinct, he says, that later led him to help found CEPI in response to the West African Ebola epidemic. He discusses the current Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, the chronic underfunding of disease surveillance, and why he considers CEPI's commitment to equitable vaccine access more significant than any of his own technical contributions. 
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What does it take to eradicate a disease like polio, and why does vaccine equity matter as much as scientific innovation? In this episode of the Infectious IDeas podcast, NFID CEO Rebecca Alvania, PhD, MA, MPH, and NFID Medical Director Robert H. Hopkins, Jr., MD, welcome Kathleen M. Neuzil, MD, MPH, of the Gates Foundation and recipient of the 2026 NFID John P. Utz Leadership Award, for a lively discussion on global immunization policy, disease surveillance, and the effort to eradicate polio. 
Neuzil reflects on the people who shaped her career, advances in vaccine science, the funding and communication challenges facing public health today, and why health equity must be central to any eradication effort. She also shares why she remains optimistic that the next generation can build a healthier, more equitable future. 
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How do we build trust in an era of misinformation, social media, and artificial intelligence? In this episode of Infectious IDeas, NFID CEO Rebecca Alvania, PhD, MA, MPH, and NFID Medical Director Robert H. Hopkins, Jr., MD, talk with Heidi J. Larson, PhD, director of the Vaccine Confidence Project and professor of anthropology, risk, and decision science at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. 
Drawing on decades of research and experience, Larson explains why vaccine hesitancy is often a relationship challenge rather than simply an information problem. She discusses the importance of active listening, the evolving role of digital platforms and AI, and the central role of trust-building in public health. 
The conversation explores how healthcare professionals can foster meaningful dialogue, why communication deserves greater investment, and what gives Larson hope for the future. 
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What happens when public health becomes politicized? In this episode, hosts Rebecca Alvania, PhD, MA, MPH, and Robert H. Hopkins, Jr., MD, are joined by former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson for a wide-ranging conversation on public health leadership, vaccine confidence, and crisis communication. Drawing on his experience in state and federal governments, including leadership roles during COVID-19 and the SARS outbreak, Hutchinson reflects on how emergency preparedness, public trust, and cultural differences shape public health policy and response. 
The discussion explores the growing politicization of vaccines, the challenges of balancing federal guidance with state-level decision-making, and why regional public health collaborations have emerged in response to fractured national policy. Hutchinson also shares lessons learned from leading Arkansas through the pandemic, including the importance of transparent communication, daily public briefings, local medical partnerships, and education over mandates in a state skeptical of government intervention. The episode closes with a candid look at the nation’s current preparedness for future public health emergencies and why declining trust in institutions may be one of the greatest vulnerabilities moving forward. 
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Is the US losing its edge in biomedical research—and what does that mean for the future of infectious diseases? In this episode, Jeanne Marrazzo, CEO of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and former leader at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, joins hosts Rebecca Alvania, PhD, MA, MPH, and Robert H. Hopkins, Jr., MD, for a timely, thought-provoking discussion on the future of public health and scientific research. 
From the early days of HIV to today’s complex public health landscape, Marrazzo shares a candid look at the forces reshaping infectious diseases, including threats to scientific integrity, shifting research funding, vaccine confidence, and declining public trust. The conversation also explores what’s at stake for US leadership in biomedical research, the impact on global health, and why patient advocacy and strong scientific voices are critical now. 
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