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Interdisciplinary Immunology Postdoctoral Training Program

         B-cells expressing CD$ helper T cells

 

       

    

Interactions among germinal center B cells (red) and IL-21 (green) expressing CD4 helper T cells (blue) during malaria parasite infection.    Noah Butler Lab

 

     

 

 

 

 


The Interdisciplinary Immunology Postdoctoral Training Program is supported by a T32 training grant from NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (T32 AI007260) and has been funded since 1984. The goal of this training program is to produce outstanding independent immunologist investigators who will make meaningful contributions to immunological sciences through academic, biotechnology, public policy, or other relevant careers. The core of this research program is a 90% commitment by postdoctoral trainees to an immunology research experience under the direction of outstanding faculty mentors.

2023-2024 Immunology Trainees: Cori Fain, Sudeep Ghimire, Miguel Gonzales, Jonathan Jeschke and Max Waugh. 

The specific objectives of this program are:

  1. to identify and recruit outstanding postdoctoral trainees, inclusive of gender and ethnicity, who wish to obtain comprehensive knowledge of the principles and techniques of basic and translational research related to either immunology, inflammation, infectious diseases, immunotherapy, leukocytes and their development, or cancer immunobiology;
  2. to attract highly motivated scientists and physician-scientists and provide them with comprehensive instruction in the design and implementation of high-quality research projects, including establishing, directing, or participating in cross-disciplinary research teams;
  3. to train physician-scientists for academic careers in immunology and related scientific disciplines and prepare them for successful transition to independent investigators; and
  4. to expose talented PhD scientists to the field of immunology and train them for careers as independent investigators, research scientists, and academic core program leaders.

This training program currently supports five postdoctoral fellows. Applicants must:

  • Hold a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, DDS, or equivalent).
  • Be eligible for support by virtue of holding US citizenship or permanent residency.
  • Convince the executive committee that they have a strong commitment to basic or transitional immunology research, and that they possess the qualities needed for success as investigators.
  • Show the executive committee a training plan (including the period of training grant support), which is appropriate and realistic for attaining a position as an independent investigator in a particular area of immunology.
  • Not be disqualified by virtue of 3 years of previous NIH postdoctoral training support.

The training program includes:

  • Mentored research experiences
  • Career advisory (mentoring) committees
  • Mentoring in scientific writing and communication
  • Seminars and research-in-progress workshops
  • Didactic courses in Rigor and Reproducibility and Responsible Conduct of Research
  • Interactions among other postdoctoral T32 programs in CCOM

The fellowship award includes the following:

  • A yearly stipend based on NIH NRSA funding levels
  • Childcare expense support in the amount of $2,500 for eligible costs
  • Travel support for meeting attendance

The following departments and programs are currently participating in the training program:

Principal Investigators: Noah Butler, PhD, and Li Wu, PhD

Applications are requested in April of each year and new trainees are appointed on July 1.

For more information about the grant and how to apply, contact Melissa Shriver or Angie Robertson.

Research