Kent Kester

Kent Kester, M.D., leads the translational medicine function at IAVI. He drives forward our preclinical and clinical product development programs at all levels of the organization, across all labs and offices, with a particular focus on leveraging innovative technologies and approaches to accelerating projects.

Kester was most recently vice president and head of translational science and biomarkers at Sanofi Pasteur. Before that, he served for 24 years in the U.S. Army at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, a U.S. military medical research institute that he directed as its commander, leading multiple research platforms and serving as the lead policy advisor for the U.S. Army Surgeon General in infectious diseases and medical research and development.

Kester holds leadership and membership positions on many prestigious boards and committees, including the National Academy of Medicine Forum on Microbial Threats, the National Academy’s Standing Committee on Emerging Infectious Diseases and 21st Century Health Threats, the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, and the CEPI Scientific Advisory Committee.

He received his M.D. from Jefferson Medical College and completed his fellowship in infectious diseases at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.