Targeting the coronavirus spike protein in vaccine design is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Spike structures for epidemic and endemic coronaviruses have differing characteristics and thus present unique problems for elicitation of cross-reactive antibody responses. Towards pandemic preparedness, Kizzmekia Corbett-Helaire is exploring vaccine-induced immunity to spike by defining mechanisms of action and protective capacity of B-cell and antibody responses that target cross-reactive epitopes. She is also uncovering the antigenic landscape of endemic coronaviruses. Simultaneous understanding of viral immunology for both epidemic and endemic coronaviruses will inform universal coronavirus vaccine design.