Andrew Cwiertniewicz | Sr. Delivery Director
Fortrea

Andrew Cwiertniewicz, MSN, RN, is a seasoned expert in vaccine clinical development with over 20 years of experience driving public health innovation. Based in Pennsylvania, he currently serves as the Senior Delivery Director for Vaccines at Fortrea (formerly Lapcorp), where he spearheads strategic initiatives that have led to global vaccine licensing and the successful execution of large-scale clinical programs. Drawing on his early career experiences working directly with patients, Andrew’s dual expertise in clinical practice and research uniquely positions him to bridge the gap between hands-on patient care and innovative vaccine development. This comprehensive perspective informs his clinical trial strategy and management, ensuring both scientific rigor and patient safety. Throughout his career, Andrew has held pivotal roles at renowned organizations such as Pfizer, Sanofi, and various Contract Research Organizations (CROs). His extensive portfolio includes oversight of more than 50 vaccine studies, underscoring his capacity to manage complex projects with measurable impact. Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Andrew demonstrated his agile leadership by launching a phase 2 treatment program—achieving first subject first treatment within just 30 days from concept protocol development. He further showcased his crisis management skills by leading the execution of the first Older Adult RSV study, enrolling over 40,000 participants in less than a year from the initial patient visit. Andrew’s expertise spans the entire lifecycle of vaccine development—from early-stage clinical research and trial strategy to post-licensure monitoring—across diverse populations ranging from infants to older adults. His proven ability to navigate public health emergencies is evident from his impactful work during swine flu, bird flu, Zika, Ebola, and COVID-19, where his decisive leadership ensured rapid, scalable, and safe responses. In addition to his clinical and research accomplishments, Andrew is a distinguished veteran. He served over 15 years in the United States Army Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel and Executive Officer for the 8th Medical Brigade, with active duty service during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. His military leadership, further enriched by specialized training in chemical, biological, nuclear, and explosive warfare, has instilled a disciplined, high-stakes management approach that continues to enhance his effectiveness in leading critical projects. Andrew earned his Master’s Degree in Nursing from Drexel University, a Bachelor’s in Nursing from Cedar Crest College, and completed his Graduate Nurse program at St. Luke’s School of Nursing. His unique blend of clinical expertise, agile project management, and strategic leadership remains a driving force behind advancements in vaccine clinical development and global public health.