Structure, sequencing, gene editing, and other -omics approaches have emerged from the relative infancy of the 20th century and are now regularly integrated to explore biology’s most challenging questions. Vaccinology, which can trace its roots to historic practices of variolation against smallpox documented since at least the 10th century, has benefited immensely from the concentrated focus of these diverse disciplines (1). The first well-recorded influenza virus outbreak in humans likely occurred in 1510, beginning in Asia and spreading throughout Europe (2). When in Rome, the virus killed several thousand and was promptly attributed to the wrath of God by the Holy See (3). Since then, influenza virus pandemics have occurred numerous times, with the 1918 influenza virus pandemic leading to the deaths of over 40 million people worldwide (4). Given the risks posed by both circulating and pandemic influenza viruses, in this thesis work, I have leveraged structure to contribute to consortium projects aimed at developing a universal influenza virus vaccine.