NIH T32 Training Program: Training Physician-Scientists in Emerging Infectious Diseases

Preparing the Next Generation of Physician-Scientists

The NIH T32 Training Program at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) is a two-year, multidisciplinary research training program designed to develop physician-scientists who will become national and international leaders in emerging infectious diseases. With the growing threat of outbreaks and epidemics, this program equips physicians with the skills needed to integrate clinical medicine, epidemiology, field investigation, and laboratory science.

A Strong Foundation for Physician-Scientists

The T32 Training Program is supported by world-class faculty, institutional resources, and strong collaborations with researchers in Peru, Colombia, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Brazil. By the end of the program, trainees will have expertise in emerging infectious diseases, research methodologies, and outbreak investigation, as well as the tools needed to secure independent research funding and faculty positions.

Program Information

Program Overview

Two years of translational research training under the mentorship of more than 25 accomplished MD and PhD faculty members Scientific and career mentorship through a structured team science framework Instruction in key areas including:

Research design, data analysis, and biostatistics
Field epidemiology and outbreak investigation
Clinical and research biocontainment and biosafety
Responsible conduct of research
Scientific writing and grant preparation
Managing a dual clinical-research career

Training and Mentorship

Trainees choose their research focus and primary mentor
Intensive career mentorship through the individualized Multidisciplinary,Interprofessional Mentorship Team (iMIMT)
Opportunities for international research collaboration
Support for securing an NIH Physician-Scientist Career Development Award
Mentorship in transitioning to an independent faculty position

Eligibility and Application

Open to physicians completing or who have completed an ACGME-certified residency or fellowship
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
One trainee per year will be selected for a two-year appointment
- Position: 2-year appointment as Instructor at UTMB; Protected research time with limited clinical responsibility (80% research, 20% clinical)
To apply, candidates should send a CV and a one-page cover letter detailing their experience, research interests, and career goals to Dr. Peter Melby

Meet the Scholars

UTMB Division of Infectious Diseases (7)

T32 Fellow Feature: Dr. Franciso Guerra

July 17, 2025 • 12:18 p.m.

Dr. Guerra's T32 Experience

There are truly very few places in the USA where physicians and scientists collaborate to detect emerging infections arising from anywhere in the world using a One Health approach, are able to study such diseases in secure and highly advanced labs, and can then create new technologies ranging from diagnostics to therapeutics (such as monoclonal antibodies and antiviral drugs). UTMB and the Galveston National Laboratory situated on the UTMB campus is one place where such pivotal research takes place. For physician scientists looking to start their careers, this is an ideal place to start, learn, and collaborate. For example, a typical day of clinic (seeing patients with AIDS, MDR TB, or murine Typhus) could be followed by a lecture from a researcher about their work surveilling an outbreak of Ebola or Oropouche viruses.

Biography

Dr. Francisco Guerra, Jr. is committed to bridging biomedical research with the practice of medicine, bringing scientific advances closer to practical medical applications that address important public health priorities. He draws on a broad and interdisciplinary background in drug discovery, bioengineering, biophysics, computational biology, physical chemistry, structural biology, spectroscopy, computational modeling, enzyme kinetics, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, molecular and cellular biology, organic synthesis, global health, and the social determinants of health to develop pioneering therapeutics against emerging infectious diseases.

Dr. Guerra has collaborated with researchers using a One Health approach to detect zoonotic spillover events. His recent work has focused on developing antimalarials with novel mechanisms of action against proven essential Plasmodium spp. targets—an increasingly urgent need as artemisinin resistance spreads throughout Southeast Asia.

At the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Dr. Guerra has redirected his research to target respiratory viruses, recognizing their universal impact and the profound societal disruptions they can cause, as demonstrated by the COVID-19 pandemic. His current research focuses on two main areas: (1) developing therapeutics for Influenza and other respiratory viruses, and (2) detecting emerging respiratory virus spillover and spillback events—particularly Influenza—through a One Health approach.

Education

B.S Bioengineering – University of California San Diego
EMT training – San Diego Miramar College
Ph.D. in Biophysics and Computational Biology – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
M.D. – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Graduate Minor in Latina/Latino Studies – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Internal Medicine Residency – Jackson Memorial Hospital / University of Miami
Infectious Diseases Fellowship – University of California San Diego
T32 Research Fellowship - University of Texas Medical Branch