Dr. Matthew Vogt, an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Infectious Diseases) and Microbiology & Immunology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Young Investigator Award by the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS). The award is given to early-career physician-scientists who have made significant independent research contributions in pediatric infectious diseases.
Founded in 1984, PIDS is recognized as the largest global organization focused on treating and eradicating infectious diseases in children. Its membership includes physicians, scientists, and public health professionals dedicated to advancing clinical care, education, research, and advocacy within this field. The society supports its mission through its journal JPIDS, annual conferences, and international collaborations.
Society President William J. Steinbach stated: “The Young Investigator Award of our Society is one of the most consequential – indicative of those faculty who are meteoric rising stars and will be the very bedrock of the entire future of our subspecialty.”
Dr. Vogt’s research centers on understanding respiratory viral infections in children. He has a particular focus on enterovirus D68 (EV-D68), which can cause acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a rare but serious illness similar to polio. His laboratory at UNC explores how antibodies might prevent or lessen severe viral diseases. This work has led to human monoclonal antibodies being developed for possible therapeutic use; one such antibody completed Phase I clinical trials in April. Dr. Vogt is also expanding his research to study parechoviruses that can result in fever and encephalitis among newborns.
