Internal Medicine

NIH/NIAID-supported UTMB Postdoctoral Training Program in
Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases

The training program in emerging and reemerging infectious diseases supports postdoctoral trainees and prepares them for clinical, epidemiologic, applied or basic careers in the field. Training is provided by Program Faculty from Internal Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, Pediatrics, and Pathology, as well as the Center for Tropical Diseases and the Sealy Center for Structural Biology.

The program offers training in 2 tracks: (1) basic investigation; and (2) clinical investigation. In the second tract, the trainee is encouraged to obtain an M.S. degree through the Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health. The major objective of the training program is to foster development of basic or clinical research skills along with a collaborative approach to enable trainees to become independent investigators in the field of emerging and reemerging infectious diseases. Research is conducted in all of the relevant pathogen-related disciplines, in pathogenetic mechanisms, and in vector biology. A strong feature of the training program is the extensive availability of international field research experience. A new global health tract will fund clinically trained fellows to study at collaborative sites in Kenya or Peru.

Training is thus available from state-of-the-art laboratories at UTMB to the most effective current techniques for research in the field. The trainees will be thoroughly oriented regarding contemporary problems in the relevant disciplines and will be provided with outstanding research opportunities. Most importantly, they will be prepared to embark on careers characterized by continual self improvement and utilization of future opportunities for collaboration and cross-disciplinary problem solving.

» UTMB Institute for Human Infections and Immunity Brochure

Clinical Training
This NIH/NIAID-funded program provides support for research training only. Research training can be combined with clinical training in infectious diseases for individuals with MD's and prior residency training in Internal Medicine or Pediatrics. Clinical training is supported by other fund sources. Individuals desiring clinical as well as research training are eligible for research training support under this program. For information regarding combined clinical and research training visit our sites at:

• Division of Infectious Diseases, Fellowship Program
• Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Eligibility

• M.D./Ph.D./D.V.M.
• U.S. citizens or permanent resident non-citizen nationals
• Established interest and/or experience in emerging and reemerging infectious diseases Individuals desiring research training in this area, but ineligible for NIH support, should consider applying for training under the James W. McLaughlin Fellowship Fund program. (Please note that the deadline for the James W. McLaughlin Fellowship Fund is April 1 of each year.)

Participating UTMB Programs and Departments

• Infectious Diseases/Internal Medicine
• Microbiology and Immunology
• WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases
• Pathology
• Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Sealy Center for Structural Biology
• Preventative Medicine and Community Health

Nomination and Application Information

Nominations
Postdoctoral trainees or trainee candidates of any training grant faculty or associate faculty member are eligible. Current trainees are likewise eligible to apply for continued funding. Trainees must be permanent resident non-citizen nationals or U.S. citizens. The NIH-supported stipend will depend upon the postgraduate year of the successful applicant, and the remainder of a UTMB stipend (if greater) must be paid from other sources and is the responsibility of the faculty mentor. The program also provides limited funds for training-related tuition and fees, travel, and supplies.

Those who wish to be considered for the training program should contact potential faculty sponsor(s) directly to initiate the nomination/application process. Please see the faculty listing for e-mail addresses.

Applications:

• Application form
• A current Curriculum vitae for the trainee candidate.
• A letter of nomination from the UTMB sponsoring faculty member.
• A description of the applicant's research interests and/or experience in the area of emerging and reemerging infectious diseases (maximum 2 pages). For current trainees applying for continued support, substitute a progress report and continuation research plan (maximum 5 pages).

Please send applications to Mrs. Terri Mills by one of the following methods:

• mail to:
  The Division of Infectious Diseases
  University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
  301 University Boulevard, Rt. 0435
  Galveston, Texas 77555-0435;
• e-mail to: temills@utmb.edu; or
• hand deliver to Suite 4.210 Graves Bldg.

Selection
Trainees will be selected by the Admissions and Recruitment Committee, and appointed each year by the Training Program Director. Applications will be evaluated using an NIH-style scale of 1-5 considering the following criteria:

• Academic credentials of the applicant.
• Demonstration of aptitude for, or commitment to, research.
• Relevance of the research of interest to the trainee to the field of emerging or reemerging infectious diseases.

Acceptance of the appointment to the training program entails signing a standard NIH "payback form" and agreement to participate in the required course on Responsible Conduct in Research (if not taken previously)

Faculty
The primary department appointment is shown for each member of the faculty. Most of the program faculty members have secondary appointments in other departments and are members of the Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, the Center for Tropical Diseases, the Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, and the Sealy Center for Structural Biology.