IDCRC Investigator Profile: Elizabeth AD Hammershaimb, MD, MS

Elizabeth AD Hammershaimb, MD, MS, is an assistant professor of pediatric infectious diseases at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Her research focuses on clinical trials in children and adults; vaccines against biothreat agents, emerging infections, and malaria; vaccine hesitancy and acceptance; pediatric infectious diseases; and antimicrobial stewardship.

Dr. Hammershaimb also currently serves as the site principal investigator for the IDCRC study, "Phase 1, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-controlled Study to Evaluate the Safety and Tolerability of an Enterovirus D68-specific Monoclonal Antibody in Healthy Adults."

How long have you worked with a VTEU?

I first got involved with the University of Maryland VTEU as a pediatric infectious diseases fellow in 2020. What a year to start my career in vaccine research!

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

I am the site PI for DMID 23-0005, a phase 1 study assessing the safety and pharmacokinetics of EV68-228-N, a monoclonal antibody against enterovirus D68 (EV-D68). EV-D68 is one of the enteroviruses associated with acute flaccid myelitis, a polio-like illness seen in children, for which there are currently no targeted therapies. I have also seen reports of adults experiencing severe disease associated with EV-D68. This exciting first-in-human study will hopefully move us closer to a treatment directed against EV-D68. 

Learn more about the study here.

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

The COVID-19 vaccine trials were all meaningful and were a source of hope and inspiration during uncertain times. Our teams worked tirelessly and adapted to challenges as they arose, and I will always be proud to have been a part of those teams, but I was most impressed by the 1,000+ study participants of all ages, from 6 months to 80+ years, who came through our site alone. People from all different walks of life, most of whom had never been in a clinical trial before, came together and placed their trust in us because they wanted to help end the pandemic. Our work gave them hope and a constructive way of responding to the upheaval that COVID-19 caused, and they, in turn, left me with a profound appreciation of what people can accomplish when we unite around a common goal.

What is a strength or example of the importance of the IDCRC?

The human relationships facilitated by the IDCRC network are invaluable. Being part of IDCRC has not only allowed me to build relationships with peers around the country but also provided access to mentors at other institutions. It helps to step outside of our respective bubbles and connect with people who work on similar topics but with different populations and in different environments. I have especially valued the bridge that IDCRC forms between USG and academia; I think that partnership is critical for responding to emerging threats as well as chipping away at the infectious agents implicated in chronic diseases. Our network is uniquely poised not only to respond to pandemic flu, anthrax, and COVID-19 but also to study vaccines against hepatitis C, HPV, and other more indolent infections with long-term effects on health. 

What do you like to do outside of the VTEU?

I enjoy spending time with my family, including my husband, son, and stepkids. I also volunteer with my church, and I am a bit of a genealogy nerd.