James T. Wassil ’99G ’05G, chief operating officer and executive vice president of Vaxcyte, Inc., will deliver the address at Lehigh’s Graduate Commencement and Doctoral Hooding Ceremony at Goodman Stadium on Saturday, May 17, 2025. An award-winning scientist, Wassil has played a role in the creation of numerous vaccines, including leading the development of two vaccines to prevent meningitis, and was an integral contributor for others to prevent pneumonia, cervical cancer, gastroenteritis, and hepatitis A.
He has dedicated over three decades to developing and commercializing vaccines intended to prevent infectious diseases and has held leadership positions in the vaccine divisions of Pfizer, Novartis and Merck.
“It’s truly an honor to be able to return to campus and speak to Lehigh’s graduate and doctoral students as they earn their degrees and move into a new phase of their lives,” Wassil said. “I’m looking forward to celebrating this momentous milestone with the graduates while encouraging them to dream big and never stop learning as they embark on their next journey.”
“I am thrilled for our graduate and doctoral students to hear Jim offer his insights and share his expertise,” Lehigh President Joseph J. Helble ’82 said. “His perspective, shaped by the leadership positions he’s held at various major health care and pharmaceutical companies, and his innovative spirit will benefit each of our graduates.”
A Career of Innovation
As the chief operating officer and executive vice president at Vaxcyte, Inc., Wassil currently leads the research and development for vaccines, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, group A streptococcus, and shigella, designed to address the growing antimicrobial resistance pandemic. He also serves as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council at Lehigh’s College of Health and annually hosts Lehigh students during the Baker Institute for Entrepreneurship, Creativity & Innovation’s LehighSiliconValley program.
After earning his bachelor of science degree in chemistry/biology from the University of Notre Dame, Wassil arrived at Lehigh and earned two master’s degrees: a master of science degree in bio-organic chemistry in 1999, and later, a master of business administration degree in 2005.
Prior to joining Vaxcyte in 2019, Wassil spent nearly five years at Pfizer serving as the company’s vaccine business unit lead. Wassil also led the development of two meningitis vaccines while at Novartis. His start in the industry began at Merck, where he spent 16 years developing vaccines for hepatitis A and rotavirus gastroenteritis.
Award-Winning Scientist
Wassil has received a number of accolades, including the ‘distinguished scientist’ title in 2014 during his time at Novartis when he earned the award as the company’s top scientist for the development, and approval, of Bexsero, a vaccine to prevent meningitis and sepsis caused by Neisseria meningitidis.
Wassil was also a finalist for the U.S. Secretary of State’s Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE Finalist). He was considered for his role in addressing dehydration due to diarrheal diseases in Nicaragua, which included assisting in conducting an effectiveness study on RotaTeq, an oral vaccine used to help prevent rotavirus infection in children.
Visit the Commencement website for more information on Commencement programming and updates.
The 2025 schedule is as follows:
Graduate Commencement and Doctoral Hooding Ceremony
Recognizing master’s and doctoral candidates
Saturday, May 17
10:00 a.m. at Goodman Stadium
Baccalaureate
Saturday, May 17
4:00 p.m. at Packer Memorial Church
Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony
Sunday, May 18
10:00 a.m. at Goodman Stadium
