2021 |
Brown, Michael G (co-PI) [⬀] Brown, Michael G (co-PI) [⬀] Brown, Michael G (co-PI) [⬀] Brown, Michael G (co-PI) [⬀] Engelhard, Victor H [⬀] Woodfolk, Judith A (co-PI) [⬀] |
T32Activity Code Description: To enable institutions to make National Research Service Awards to individuals selected by them for predoctoral and postdoctoral research training in specified shortage areas. |
Interdisciplinary Training Program in Immunology
This Interdisciplinary Training Program in Immunology (ITP) at the University of Virginia (UVA) provides comprehensive support for the development of predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees as the next generation of Immunology research scientists. It is based in a group of 32 outstanding faculty, whose research programs are centered in Immunology, but oriented towards infectious disease, cancer, autoimmunity, allergic disease, inflammation, immune system development, vascular biology, or neuroscience. They are from 7 University Departments and 6 Divisions of the Dept of Medicine, creating a rich interdisciplinary research environment where trainees are exposed to a range of ideas and cutting-edge technologies, augmented by the highly collegial and collaborative environment of UVA. Trainees and mentors are brought into contact through their involvement in activities supported by the ITP, including courses, workshops, seminars, Research-In-Progress presentations, and advisory committees. The ITP structure overcomes traditional departmental barriers by establishing cross- disciplinary interest in trainee activities and oversight of trainee performance and progress. The organization of graduate recruiting at UVA also supports this interdisciplinary approach, while at the same time increasing the visibility of Immunology as a Research Discipline to enhance our ability to attract outstanding applicants. Recognizing the inherently translational orientation of contemporary Immunology and the central importance of the immune system in many human pathologies, the structure and activities of the UVA ITP are also designed to bridge the gap between basic and clinical science. The mentors include a strong cohort of translational/clinical scientists who move work in animal models into patient settings and engage in trainee-related activities that expose PhD-based graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to clinical problems. Conversely, we support an MD postdoctoral fellow to develop the next generation of Physician-Scientists who will address questions in human Immunology at a basic level. Over the last 26 years, the UVA ITP has recruited an outstanding group of both pre- and postdoctoral trainees, including a strong cohort of trainees from disadvantaged groups, and has propelled them towards productive careers as research scientists. To continue this record of achievement, we request support for 6 predoctoral trainees, selected from a group of highly qualified first year graduate students who have already been highly scrutinized during initial recruitment into our umbrella Biomedical Sciences (BIMS) graduate program. We also request support for 2 postdoctoral trainees. They may hold a PhD, and be selected based on the excellence of their graduate student work, and their demonstrated commitment and productivity during an initial year of postdoctoral research. Alternatively, they may be Physician-Scientists, highly dedicated to a career in academic medicine, chosen from board-eligible or board-certified MD or MD-PhD fellows in UVA clinical departments. Recognizing the diversity of career paths available to both pre- and postdoctoral trainees, the ITP is strongly committed to supporting trainees who will pursue research intensive or related careers.
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0.915 |