COE Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity

Welcome to the Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease & Immunity where innovative research is vital to medical breakthroughs!

At the COE in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, human subjects research is our backbone. Together with other experienced members, CIIDI explores opportunities for collaborative advancements in human immunology & disease and apply those efforts towards improving the quality of patient care. From workbench to bedside, our researchers are among the best in their field.

• Video Transcript: Quillen Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease, and Immunity Introduction

  Opening
  Visual:
  ETSU logo and Quillen College of Medicine branding appear on screen.
  Fade to title card with high-contrast text:
  Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity (CIIDI)
  East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine

  Audio:
  Gentle background music fades in.

   
  Introduction — Dr. Dave Williams
  Visual:
  Dr. Dave Williams appears in an office or lab setting, facing the camera.
  Lower-third text (high contrast):
  Dave Williams, PhD
  Carol Hardy Long Professor of Surgery
  Co-Director, CIIDI

  Audio (Dr. Williams):
  Hello, my name is Dave Williams. I am the Carol Hardy Long Professor of Surgery at Quillen College of Medicine, and I serve as Co-Director of the Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease, and Immunity.

  Our center was established in 2014 as a Center of Excellence with a focus on infectious disease, immunity, and inflammation.

   
  Mission and Structure
  Visual:
  Cut to exterior shots of campus buildings, followed by interior lab scenes with researchers working.

  Overlay bullet points (large, readable text):

  Established in 2014
  Focus: Infectious Disease, Immunity, Inflammation
  Catalyst for basic, applied, translational, and clinical research
  58 members across ETSU

  
  Audio (Dr. Williams continues):
  The purpose of our center is to serve as a catalyst for advancing research across multiple areas, including basic, applied, translational, and clinical research.

  We currently have approximately 58 members across East Tennessee State University. While most focus on biomedical research, we also collaborate across disciplines.

  To give you a broader perspective, I would like to introduce my co-director, Dr. Jon Moorman.

   
  Translational Approach — Dr. Jon Moorman
  Visual:
  Dr. Jon Moorman appears on screen in a similar professional setting.
  Lower-third text:
  Jon Moorman, MD
  Co-Director, CIIDI

  Audio (Dr. Moorman):
  Hello, I am Jon Moorman, Co-Director of the Center of Excellence. I would like to explain the translational approach that defines our work.

   
  Translational Science Explanation
  Visual:
  Graphics showing a simple “bench-to-bedside” pipeline (lab → patient → clinical application).
  B-roll of clinical environments, sample collection, and lab processing.

  Overlay text:

  Bringing clinicians and researchers together
  Clinical core sites
  Patient recruitment and biospecimens
  Research involving human participants

  Audio (Dr. Moorman):
  Our goal is to maximize translational science by bringing together clinicians and researchers who might not otherwise collaborate.

  We have established clinical core sites where we recruit patients and collect biospecimens for research.

  This allows us to conduct research that directly involves human participants, rather than relying only on laboratory or animal models.

  Focus Areas
  Visual:
  Icons or simple labeled graphics representing each focus area.
  On-screen text:

  HIV
  Hepatitis B
  Hepatitis C
  COVID-19
  Sepsis

  Audio (Dr. Moorman):
  Our current focus areas include HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, COVID-19, and sepsis. These areas are well supported and continue to grow in importance.

  Education and Training
  Visual:
  Students and postdoctoral researchers working in labs, classrooms, and group discussions.
  Overlay text:

  Undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral training
  Biomedical Sciences concentration
  Focus on inflammation, infectious disease, and immunity
  Audio (Dr. Moorman):
  Education is also central to our mission. We provide training opportunities for undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows.

  We have aligned our Biomedical Sciences program with a concentration focused on inflammation, infectious diseases, and immunity.

  This gives trainees hands-on experience in highly equipped laboratories alongside experienced investigators.

   
  Research Innovation — Dr. Dave Williams
  Visual:
  Return to Dr. Williams on screen.

  Audio (Dr. Williams):
  In addition to these efforts, I would like to highlight several areas of innovation within our center.

   
  Drug Discovery Core
  Visual:
  Lab footage showing advanced research activity.
  Overlay text:
  Drug Discovery Core
  Led by Dr. Zuchao Ma
  Vaccine and adjuvant development

  Audio (Dr. Williams):
  We have established a Drug Discovery Core led by Dr. Zuchao Ma. This program focuses on developing vaccines and adjuvants, which are critical to public health.

   
  Infrastructure and Technology
  Visual:
  Close-up shots of advanced instruments and lab equipment.
  Overlay text:

  Flow cytometers
  Confocal microscopes
  NMR instruments
  Advanced research tools
  Audio (Dr. Williams):
  We have also invested in advanced research infrastructure, including flow cytometers, confocal microscopes, and nuclear magnetic resonance instruments.

  These tools allow our researchers to remain competitive at the national level and advance scientific discovery.

  Closing
  Visual:
  Fade to closing card with ETSU and CIIDI logos.
  High-contrast text:
  Advancing Health Through Discovery
  etsu.edu/com/ciidi

  Audio (Dr. Williams):
  We look forward to continuing to expand our impact in the years ahead. Thank you for your interest in the Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease, and Immunity.

  Audio:
  Music fades out.

CIIDI celebrates a decade of excellence in basic, clinical, and translational research, as highlighted in the 2025 State of University Address (page 26): Download the Report