Kristen A. Feemster, MD MPH MSHP is a Global Director, Medical Affairs for pneumococcal vaccines at Merck Research Laboratories, Merck & Co., Inc. and Adjunct Associate Professor of Pediatrics – Infectious Diseases at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) Perelman School of Medicine. A board-certified pediatric infectious diseases physician and health services researcher, Dr. Feemster received an M.D. / M.P.H. at Columbia University and completed residency and fellowship training at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) where she joined the Division of Infectious Diseases in 2010. She has led a research portfolio focusing upon vaccine policy and the epidemiology of vaccine preventable diseases both domestically and internationally, serving as the Research Director of the Vaccine Education Center at CHOP. After several years in academic medicine, she transitioned to a full-time role as Medical Director of the Immunization Program and Acute Communicable Diseases at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health until starting her current position at Merck & Co., Inc. in June 2020.