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URMC  » New York Influenza Center of Excellence » Training

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Training

The URSMD has a very active, NIH-funded training environment for individuals interested in influenza virus research. Training opportunities exist at all levels, ranging from undergraduate summer research fellowships through to post-baccalaureate training in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology's PREP program, and to pre- and post-doctoral training. Specific, NIH-funded, training programs that are of relevance to influenza virus research, are described below:

Molecular Pathogenesis of Bacteria and Viruses

PI: Barbara Iglewski, PhD
Training Level: Predoctoral
The aim of this predoctoral training program is to provide the biomedical community with highly creative and productive molecular bacteriologists, virologists, and mycologists interested in the pathogenesis of disease. This goal is mandated by the intellectual desires and career aspirations of the program's predoctoral trainees and by the health needs of the nation as specified by various task forces of NIH and CDC. This goal will be achieved by having the students follow a highly visible and defined Pathogenesis Tract (core curriculum) set in the established interdepartmental graduate training milieu of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry (SMD).

The SMD has instituted a new required course in biomedical ethics and responsible conduct of research composed of both formal lectures and case discussions, In addition, we have organized a second new ethics course specifically addressing concerns unique to working with highly infectious agents, including agents important to biodefense. The essential core environment will be fostered by: a faculty dedicated to excellence in teaching and research and committed to training in molecular microbial pathogenesis and host defenses; active molecular pathogenesis/host defense research programs of trainees and their sponsors; structured lecture courses accompanied by literature review seminars; unique colloquia focused on various aspects of molecular pathogenesis and taught by expert visiting faculty specifically chosen to augment strengths of the training faculty; seminar courses in various aspects of microbial pathogenesis or immunology; various journal clubs and a catalytic number of trainees.

Breadth of training in related fields (including influenza virus research) will be accomplished by providing sufficient time and opportunities in the Pathogenesis tract for students to attend clinical microbiology and infectious disease conferences and to rotate through the clinical microbiology laboratories. Research opportunities in a wide variety of relevant problems within the purview of molecular microbial pathogenesis and host defense will be offered to trainees by an experienced, talented, and highly interactive primary training faculty.

Over the last six years, we have recruited new junior and senior faculty to strengthen and broaden the existing program in virology, bacteriology, mycology, and host defense. We also have faculty who are studying emerging and re-emerging infections and agents important to biodefense. The University of Rochester and SMD has recently undertaken development of a new strategic plan. One of the four basic research areas to be included is "Defense Against External Threats" which includes in the focus of this training grant. This ensures future additional University support for this program. The overall program is further strengthened by collaborations between both basic and clinical faculty and by strong university financial support.

Research and Education in Microbiology and Immunology

PI: Steve Dewhurst, PhD
Training Level: Post-baccalaureate
The long-term goal of this proposal is to prepare trainees from underrepresented minority groups for careers as outstanding research scientists and leaders in the biomedical community. This training program will provide research and education opportunities in microbiology and immunology, that are of direct relevance to many of the health problems that disproportionately affect minorities and medically underserved groups (e.g., arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, HIV and other STDs, and respiratory diseases). This program has three specific objectives. First, a supportive, productive, and exciting environment will be created, in which trainees will conduct outstanding research in microbiology and immunology, while working as full-time laboratory technicians under the supervision of a program faculty member. This will be achieved by bringing together a highly interactive and experienced group of well-funded faculty concerned with the advancement of underrepresented minority trainees, whose research interests span a diverse range of topics, and whose laboratories use a wide array of experimental approaches. The second aim of the program is to provide high quality educational opportunities that will prepare trainees for future doctoral studies. To this end, each trainee will perform an independent research project under the supervision of a faculty mentor. In addition, an individual plan of study will be developed for each PREP participant, tailored specifically to meet the individual needs of that trainee. This will include a small number of carefully selected courses, designed to allow trainees to (a) receive necessary instruction in specific skills/areas, (b) demonstrate their academic preparedness for doctoral studies, and (c) to gain academic credit towards the Ph.D. at the University of Rochester. The third aim of the program is to provide a highly enriched learning environment, with strong peer support. Enrichment activities will include instruction in scientific communication skills, attendance at national scientific meetings, internship opportunities, participation in an annual retreat/symposium, participation in extramural workshops and seminars (including intensive hands-on training in sophisticated scientific methodologies, as well as in-depth instruction in grant writing), and the opportunity to select, invite and meet with extramural seminar speakers. Finally the trainees will be provided with opportunities for social interaction and networking with one another, and they will have access to peer mentors for collegiality, collaborations and, if needed, personal tutoring.

Pre and Postdoctoral Training Program in Immunology

PI: Edith Lord, PhD
Training Level: Combined Pre- and Post- Doctoral
The aim of the proposed Immunology Training Program is to provide academia, industry, and governmental research laboratories with highly creative and productive research immunologists who are broadly trained in immunology, well trained in their research specialty, and schooled in interrelated fields (e.g., pathogenesis of disease, cell biology, molecular biology, tumor biology). This goal is mandated by the intellectual desires and career aspirations of the program's participants and by the health needs of the nation. This goal will be achieved by having the predoctoral students follow a highly visible and defined Immunology Track (core curriculum) set in the established interdepartmental graduate training milieu of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. The essential core environment will be fostered by: a Division of Immunology faculty dedicated to excellence in teaching and research and committed to immunology training; active immunological research programs of trainees and their mentors; a structured lecture course in immunology and with an adjunct co-seminar; a series of advanced level seminar courses on cutting edge topics in immunology; a research-in-progress seminar series and a journal club; an active seminar series; and by a catalytic number of trainees. Breadth in training in fields related to immunology will be accomplished by students in the Immunology Track taking courses and/or seminars in pertinent areas of scientific inquiry that interface with immunology. Research training opportunities in a wide variety of immunological problems within the purview of B-cell biology (Bottaro, Insel, Phipps, Sanz, Young), T-cell biology (Barth, Cohen, Crispe, Fowell, Frelinger, Mosmann, Moynihan, Zheng), inflammation (Barth, Phipps, Segal), tumor immunity (Lord, Frelinger, Segal, Cohen), autoimmunity (Fowell, Segal), evolution of immunity (Cohen), and neural-immune system interactions (Moynihan, Cohen, Segal) will be offered to pre- and postdoctoral fellows by an experienced, talented, and highly interactive primary training faculty. Training support is requested for 10 predoctoral and 2 postdoctoral trainees in each of 5 years.